Namibia’s Olympic silver medallist Christine Mboma aims to work harder to build on her achievements last year.
She said this after scooping the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) African Female Hope Athlete award, beating the likes of Jackline Chepkoech from Kenya, Tobi Amusan and Imaobong Uko both from Nigeria late last year.
Mboma’s coach Henk Botha was selected as African coach of the year.
The CAA awards nominated the best African athletes, coaches and officials for the 2021 season.
Mboma told New Era Sport yesterday she is proud of her CAA award and wants to do more this year.
“I am so happy for the achievement. Being recognised as the best female hope athlete on the continent is a great milestone. There are so many other female athletes who were doing well, but I happened to scoop the award which was so overwhelming to me. I vow to continue with the superb form and achieve more this year,” she said.
Mboma, who won silver in the 200m at the Tokyo Olympics, gold at the U20 world championships, and a Diamond League trophy last year, added that the CAA award is not only for her, but for the nation and Athletics Namibia.
“The award means a lot, but this is more important to the nation and the federation, which provided me with the opportunity to showcase my talent and be recognised at that level. I will continue building from all this success, and push beyond my limits to ensure I achieve greater things,” she added.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Nampa last week, Botha said he was excited to be awarded the best African coach award.
“It’s always nice to be acknowledged for the hard work you have done, but these prizes are not only for Christine and I but for all Namibians, because we all did this together,” he said.
The coach added that with the spotlight now on, the pressure to work hard will increase.
“The highest tree always catches the wind and going forward, whatever we do will be investigated and dissected with a special eye, but we are happy and honoured to have these awards,” Botha told Nampa.
- Additional reporting by Nampa
- mkambukwe@nepc.com.na