Award-winning coach, Henk Botha says Namibia’s Tokyo 2020 Olympics silver medallist, Christine Mboma, is set to begin her 2025 athletics season with competing in the Botswana International Grand Prix and the Kip Keino Classic in Kenya.

The Botswana International Grand Prix and the Kip Keino Classic are both track and field events and are considered possible starting points for her.

“We are looking at the Kip Keino Classic, as well as other competitions across Africa and Europe for the outdoor season. However, our main focus at the moment is the upcoming World Indoor Championships… For the Kip Keino Classic, we have to apply for a spot, and the organisers will inform us if there’s space for her and compatriot. I am confident that we will compete there, as we have participated in their exciting competition before, and many of my top athletes are eager to go,” said Botha.

Mboma, who won silver in the 200m at the Tokyo Olympics, is yet to start her season following a challenging 2024 campaign. However, Botha confirmed that they plan to start competing next month at the World Indoor Championships, with the Kip Keino Classic, usually held between April and May, also in their sights.

The coach did not rule out the possibility of Mboma competing at the Botswana International Grand Prix, which has rapidly grown into a major international athletics event. At last year’s Kip Keino Classic, Mboma finished eighth in the 100m race, clocking 12.32 seconds after sustaining a thigh muscle injury.

Both Mboma and fellow sprinter Beatrice Masilingi were previously barred from competing in the 400m due to their naturally high testosterone levels. As a result, they had to take medication to lower their testosterone levels to comply with regulations from World Athletics (WA) which is the athletics governing body in the world.

-mkambukwe@nepc.com.na