Hilma Nalupe

The Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) has officially handed over the national kit to athletes who will represent the country at the fourth African Youth Games, scheduled to take place from 10 to 20 December in Angola.

The kit was specially designed by former athletes, who drew from their own experiences with
previous uniforms while incorporating fresh ideas to better meet the needs of today’s athletes.

Namibia will field a team of 29 athletes and 18 officials across the following sport codes: athletics, 3×3 basketball, cycling, beach wrestling, swimming, golf, table tennis and gymnastics.

NNOC vice president Gaby Ahrens encouraged the athletes to wear the national colours with pride and respect.

“When you wear this kit, you carry more than colours. You carry hope and the dreams of your families, communities and of Namibia. Wear it with pride and know that you belong,” Ahrens told the team.

Speaking at the handover ceremony last week, Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Dino Ballotti, urged the young athletes to adopt a “dual dream”, striving for excellence in sport while also prioritising their education.

“An injury can happen, or you may not go pro. Therefore, it is important to take your education seriously and to have a dual dream,” Ballotti said. 

-hnalupe@nepc.com.na