A team of six karatekas and two delegates left Namibia yesterday to compete at the upcoming African Karate Championships set for 2 to 5 December in Cairo, Egypt. 

Speaking at the official colours-awarding and send-off ceremony on Friday at the Namibia Sports Commission, Namibia Karate Union (NKF) president Marchelle de Jager said the team is excited to go and compete again after their scheduled trip was disrupted by Covid-19.

“We are very excited as over the past two years, our calendar was heavily disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. So, we see this as a great opportunity and as a breakthrough to do what we love and participate at that level,” she added.

“We have been preparing for the past years, having training camps, zoom sessions; literally everything you can think of. I believe our athletes are in top form, and will go and give their best and make us proud at this competition.” 

Also speaking at the same event, NSC chief administrator Freddy Mwiya said he believes the team will compete and give it their all. 

He encouraged the athletes to bear with officials as rules have changed. 

“There are experienced athletes who have competed at this competition before, and we also have new athletes on the team. We expect the team to do their best. So, those who have competed at this stage before, I believe with your experience you will be able to carry the whole team through,” he observed.

Freddy Mwiya Jr, one of the athletes who will be competing at this event, said he is ready to put up a great performance.

“I’ll be taking part in the senior U/17 division, and this will be my second senior division. The first time wasn’t really good, but I’m now ready to show what Namibia really has,” he continued.

The other karatekas are Justin Scholtz, Jewel Slinger, Merziaana Mouton, Ronja Porteus and Suzelle Pronk. 

The coach and team managers are Llewellyn Manale and De Jager.

- mkambukwe@nepc.com.na