Windhoek
Jamaican sprinter and gold medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce paid a courtesy call to the Office of the Otjozondjupa Governor, Otto Ipinge, last Friday where she received an overwhelming welcome and Ipinge recommended that a street in Otjiwarongo be named after her.
Fraser-Pryce, 28, who won an Olympic gold medal in the 100-metre race, is widely regarded as the fastest woman on the planet and was welcomed by a highly excited group of schoolchildren at the town. She could hardly contain her appreciation and applauded the Namibian people for the wonderful reception and kind gesture.
Son Road, which leads to the main Otjiwarongo Sports Stadium, was identified as the street potentially to be renamed Fraser-Pryce. “I’m really excited that I came here. I had heard so much about this beautiful country and I can attest to all the beauty I’ve seen since my arrival here,” said the excited sprinter.
Ipinge told Fraser-Pryce that Namibia is also her home and that she is always welcome to visit. He encouraged her to become a marketing ambassador for Namibia and to promote its beauty.
This is the first African visit for the thrice Olympic medalist and she assured the governor that it would not be her last. She pointed out that part of the reason for her visit is to inspire young aspiring athletes to always believe in their talents and dreams. Hard work leads to success, she told them.