With the new Omicron variant spreading fast around southern Africa, Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) chief administrator Freddy Mwiya has assured the nation they are taking all precautionary measures necessary to ensure the safety of Team Namibia en route to and in Lesotho.

“We learned that it is a new challenge in the world, and what we have informed our team members is to take precautionary measures. We are definitely going to ensure that we adhere to the rules and regulations. We managed to speak and seek guidance from doctors, and that will be part and parcel of the trip,” said Mwiya during the send-off ceremony of the team yesterday.

A total of 77 athletes and 45 officials left Namibia for Maseru, Lesotho, yesterday for participation in the ninth edition of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Games. 

The competition will run from 3 to 12 of December.  “At the same time, we don’t want to talk too much; the moment we speak a lot on this, it will affect their performance at the games. But important measures will be taken into consideration,” he said.

On her part, sports minister Agnes Tjongarero urged the team to represent the country with pride.  “I trust and believe you can bring us silverware. It doesn’t matter if it’s gold, silver and/or bronze medals, but try your level best as a team to bring back medals,” she said. The team consists of all regions, except Zambezi and Kunene that withdrew athletes due to circumstances beyond their control. 

The minister urged corporate companies to come on board and help with funding, so that they can send a bigger team to the next youth games. “I am expecting that next time, all 14 regions will be represented. As government, we are fully responsible for the expenditures of the team, and we call on the private sector to come on board and assist us financially for us to be able to send a bigger team and give children more opportunities to excel at international level,” said Tjongarero. 

- mkambukwe@nepc.com.na