A group of 15 athletes along with their coaches yesterday left for Mauritius where they will represent the country at the 22nd edition of the African Senior Athletics Championships in Port-Louis from 8 to 12 June.

This year’s event, which officially kicks off tomorrow, will be held on the brand-new track at the Côte d’Or National Sports Complex in Mauritius, considered one of the best technical stadiums in Africa.

The sports complex, located in the village of Côte d’Or, St Pierre, comprises four state-of-the-art facilities: a gymnasium, an aquatic centre, football stadium and athletics track, and has a capacity of 15 000 spectators.

Namibia’s nine male and six female athletes will be amongst the continent’s top athletes that will be competing for top honours in the various categories. 

Although Team Namibia yesterday headed to Mauritius without the country’s two foremost sprint sensations Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi, the selectors remained optimistic that the team will do well, and that this will be an opportunity for other athletes to further showcase their talents. 

The Namibian team will be led by veteran sprinters Ernst Narib and Mahmad Bock, while young and upcoming middle distance runner David Dam will also be in the mix. The women’s side is led by highly-talented Ndawana Haitembu, Vass Nandi and Tuane Silva as well as the young Innocentia Haingura.

Speaking to this publication yesterday, Athletics Namibia president Erwin Naimhwaka said he was confident the team will do well, as it boasts a great number of young and experienced athletes.

“I am positive that we have a good team which is going to represent us at this competition. Although most of them are also going there for developmental purposes, I am positive this team will produce the needed results,” he said.

There are 45 events on the programme: 22 for men and 22 for women and a 10km trail race for both men and women.

The events for men include hurdles, decathlon, high jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump, shot put, hammer throw, and javelin.

For the women, there will be hurdles, heptathlon, high jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump, shot put, discus, hammer throw and javelin.

The team: 

Men: Hainuca Gilbert, David Dam, Danny Geldenhuys, Warren Goreseb, Ernst Narib, Johannes Retief, Roger Haitengi, Ryan William and Mahmad Bock.

Women: Ndawana Haitembu, Tuane Silva, Innocentia Haingura, Anne Rautenbach, Nandi Vass, and Sade Amor de Soussa.

- mkambukwe@nepc.com.na