Six Namibian athletes will participate at the second edition of the International School Sports Federation (ISF) World Schools Cross-Country Championships to be held in Nairobi, Kenya.
The team consists of three male and three female athletes – Elizabeth Kalola, Linea Iita, Beata Nghilifilwa, Penehupifo Shikongo, Nestor Shilamba, and Johannes Jeremia. They will join 400 other pupils from different countries.
The team departed for Kenya on Wednesday led by Nomin Lucas, the head of delegation, along with coaches Petrus Andim and Edward Kapewasha, as well as team manager Zelda Katjingisiua.
Namibia School Sports Union’s Rodger Kambatuku expressed confidence in the team’s selection process, and their readiness for the competition. “This is the best team we have selected, and I believe we are going to get the results with this team.
This team has potential, and I believe they will make the country proud at the tournament.”
The competition will feature events for U/12, and 15, as well as U/18 categories at the Ngong racecourse. The U/12 athletes will compete in the 1 000 to
1 200 metre race for both boys and girls. In the U/15 category, girls will run between 2 000m and 2 500m, while boys will run between 3 000 and 3 500m. The U/18 girls will compete over distances of between 3 000m and 3 500m, while boys will run between 5 000m and 5 500m.
The chief executive officer of the event, Barnaba Korir, said Kenya is ready to host the competition, with all logistics in place.
“Everything is set for the one-day competition, which involves the arrival of students on 9 May. We have lined up several cultural activities for the pupils, but the main event will be on Sunday, where they will compete in the U/12, and 15, and U/18 cross country championships at the Ngong racecourse.” said
Korir.
– mkambukwe@nepc.com.na