Zebaldt Ngaruka
The Gobabis zone dominated the just-ended Omaheke Regional Athletics games, scooping the first position for the second consecutive time at the Legare Stadium.
The regional games are aimed at selecting the best athletes from Omaheke zone to represent the region at the Namibia Schools Sports Union (NSSU) national event slated for Windhoek from 9 to 11 May.
Gobabis used their home-ground advantage, and scored 1 238 points out of 3 538 points.
The second place went to Aminuis with 673.21 points, while Tallismanus claimed the third spot with 472.50 points.
Otjinene dropped to fourth place with 458.86 points, far below the second position they took last year, whereas Epukiro zone under the auspices of Pauldia Tjerivanga settled for the fifth position with 386.71 points ahead of bottom feeders Drimiopsis, who took 308. 71 points.
Overall, Gobabis scooped 128 medals, and 51 of those were gold, 40 silver, with 32 bronze medals.
Otjinene came second with 17 gold medals, whereas Tallismanus, headed by Andreas Andreas, remained at third position with 14 gold medals.
The Aminuis zone under the stewardship of John Katataiza settled for the fourth position with 12 gold medals, leaving behind Epukiro and Drimiopsis. Loretha Haradoes, who is the zonal head of Gobabis, told New Era Sport that credit goes to all the schools in her zone for their commitment.
“The initiative from fellow schools indeed helped us to do this well. We are fortunate to have an athletics club in Gobabis, which provides coaching to our athletes, and our athletes also have personal trainers,” she added.
On his part, Drimiopsis zone coordinator Fanuel Urorua said the midterm break contributed to his team’s poor performance.
“Our athletes do not train when home, and that affects their fitness. Other than that, it was a great competition, and there is always room for improvement,” he said.
The coordinator added that his athletes in the field items did well, and will go to the nationals in Windhoek.
“We will prepare them well for the big occasion,” Urorua promised.
Omaheke region's NSSU chairperson Ivo Mate said the event went as planned.
He complimented the various school officials for their tremendous cooperation throughout the games.
“These games are aimed at promoting and developing athletics in our region.
It is good to see the full participation of all, including sponsors,” Mate said.
However, he singled out the transportation issue of athletes to Gobabis as a shortcoming they faced.
“Some of our athletes were picked up late from their respective schools, but we will not tolerate that next time,” he stressed.
About 50 athletes were selected to represent the Omaheke region at the national games in Windhoek next month.