By Helge Schutz ALGIERS Namibia’s athletes have been promised financial rewards by the team’s management if they win medals at the All Africa Games, while Namibia’s Chef de Mission, John Walters, has called on Namibia’s corporate sector to do the same. Walters said that the team’s management had decided to reward the athletes after some excellent performances to date. “Our boxers have been fantastic and have put Namibia on the map. To have six boxers in the quarterfinals against the best boxers in Africa is really an exceptional achievement and we decided to offer our athletes financial rewards if they win medals, as an added incentive,” he said. “We still need to decide exactly how much we will offer them, but it will be substantial and we want to call on Namibia’s private sector to do the same, to show their support for our athletes,” he added. Six Boxers in Quarterfinals Light flyweight Japhet Uutoni, lightweight Julius Indongo, bantamweight Immanuel Naidjala and welterweight Desmond Kasuto all won their first round bouts, while heavyweight Tobias Munihango and flyweight Johannes Simon received first round byes. If the boxers win their quarterfinal bouts and make it to the semifinals, they will be assured of at least a bronze medal, since both losing semifinalists will receive bronze medals. If Namibia’s athletes receive gold or silver medals, they will stand a chance of qualifying for next year’s Olympic Games and, according to Walters, it will be important to provide financial support for their preparation. “If any of our athletes qualify for the Olympic Games, we will have to support them financially so that they can prepare adequately. This will entail, amongst others, training camps and top competitions abroad, which will be a costly affair,” he said. Walters Praises Swimmers Walters also praised Namibia’s young swimming team for some great performances against the continent’s best swimmers. To date, Jonay Briedenhann qualified for two finals and Tristan McDonald for one, while most of Namibia’s swimmers have set new personal best times. The times in general have been exceptionally fast and a host of African and All Africa Games records have been set so far. South Africa, which is being represented by world-class swimmers like Gerhard Zandberg, Amanda Loots and Cameron van den Burgh, is way ahead in the medal standings. Zimbabwe, led by national hero and world champion Kirsty Coventry, and Algeria are fighting it out for the overall silver medal. Top Athletes Arrive Meanwhile, Namibia’s top athletes have started to arrive for the athletics competition which starts today. Long jumper Stefan Louw and triple jumper Rodger Haitengi arrived from Germany on Sunday night, while Agnes Samaria arrived from England on Monday night. Lou and Haitengi are both in confident mood after some fine performances in Europe. Haitengi won two international events in Berlin and Erfurt in Germany and said he was in good shape. “I jumped 15,70 metres in Berlin and feel I can go further. I am feeling strong and hope to win a medal,” he said. Louw came sixth against a top international field in Germany with a distance of 7,80m. He, too, believes that a similar distance could win a medal at the All Africa Games. “On current form, I’d say there are four athletes who stand a chance of winning a medal, and I’m one of them,” he said.