Maurice Kambukwe

Local athletics clubs have applauded Athletics Namibia (AN) for creating more opportunities and platforms through the Coca-Cola Grand Prix, which is a multi-legged athletics competition staged across the country.

This year, the Grand Prix consists of 10 legs, and two have already taken place – one in Swakopmund and the second in Windhoek. 

This weekend will see the third leg of the national competition returning to Windhoek’s Independence Stadium, where thrilling action will again be expected from the various participating clubs and their athletes.

The first two legs attracted close to 200 athletes from 18 clubs hailing from across the country, while a raft of new clubs have also made their debut at the highly-competitive events.

Speaking to New Era Sport ahead of this weekend’s event, coach of Mariental-based Tsaraxa-Aibes Athletic Sport Club, Nomani Lucas, said the nationwide Grand Prix has created a platform where their young athletes can showcase their talents.

“When it comes to talent identification and development, this competition should never be underestimated because this is where raw talents are unearthed. If our young athletes can compete at such national events regularly, it will create enough capacity in the regions and also at national level,” said Lucas. 

“For instance, some of the athletes who ran against Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi in the last legs have now gained confidence, and are determined to do better for themselves. That is exactly what we need, and that’s why these competitions are crucial,” he added.

Also speaking on the importance of the ever-growing competition, Bella Hindjou-Swartz, coach of Unam Athletics Club, commended AN for the great job to provide athletes with the much-needed exposure, saying the Grand Prix is playing a great role in improving their way of competing.

“We are thankful for what AN has been doing. This competition is vital in terms of exposure. So many of our athletes have been constantly improving their times, which I think is a great start for them in their quest to qualify for the Commonwealth Games (in July this year). The competition has been crucial in terms of talent development, which has seen these athletes always working harder to compete at the national level,” she observed.

Meanwhile, coach Michael Hamukwaya of the Namib Lions Athletics Club said he is happy to see other regional clubs also entering athletes with disabilities in this competition, which he feels is of great significance.

Hamukwaya added that if taken seriously by the participating athletes, competitions such as the Grand Prix serve as an important gateway to the global stage.

This weekend, athletes will again compete in the 100m, 400m, 1500m and 5000m events, and AN president Erwin Naimwhaka said they expect a great turnout. 

Meanwhile, Mboma and Masilingi, who were part of the first two legs, will be missing in action as they have now turned their attention to preparing for major global events.

- mkambukwe@nepc.com.na