With less than two weeks before the African Union Sport Council (AUSC) Region 5 Games takes centre stage in Maseru, Lesotho, chairperson of the Namibian local organising committee Freddy Mwiya, has reassured that Team Namibia is ready to cause a storm in that country.

The biennial youth games are set for 3-12 December when Namibia will be represented by a team of 124 athletes and officials in track and field events, which includes para-athletes, basketball, tennis and volleyball teams. 

The games could not take place last year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, which affected sports events around the world. Mwiya, who is also the chief administrator of the Namibia Sports Commission, said Team Namibia has been hard at work preparing for the games and by next week Thursday, all athletes in the various regions will be expected in Windhoek for the final joint training camp before they depart for Maseru.

“We are ready as far as preparations are concerned. The athletes have been training individually in their respective towns, but under the guidance of their coaches. We are departing for Maseru on 29 November,” he said.

Mwiya, however, said he was a bit disappointed that some of the country’s top athletes had to withdraw from the games due to upcoming year-end school examinations, which are clashing with the AUSC Region 5 Games calendar.

“A few of our top talents will not be travelling with us due to the pressing school calendar, as they will be busy writing their final exams within the same days as the games. It’s sad that their talents will not be noticed at regional level, as it is a very important platform for our athletes.”

-mkambukwe@nepc.com.na