ONLY five Namibian sports codes have so far qualified for the Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi, India from October 3 to 14.
However, more sporting codes are expected to qualify before August 31.Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) President Agnes Tjongarero told a media briefing on Wednesday that only paralympics, athletics, archery, gymnastics and lawn bowls have so far submitted the names of athletes who have qualified for the Commonwealth Games.Tjongarero noted that the due date for submitting teams’ names to the Indian Olympic Association is September 2.’I am hoping that this time we will not just participate but we will win and bring something home – even a bronze or silver medal would be better than nothing,’ said Tjongarero. She noted that the qualifying sports codes were each given N$25 000 for preparations before the actual Games in Delhi. She further told reporters that the N$25 000 was also supposed to be used for clothing and pocket money.’Apart from Government, Bank Windhoek is our only other sponsor at the moment. So, we’re going to hold a gala dinner on September 2 to raise more funds for the Games,’ she announced. The team heading for the Commonwealth Games will be led by Air Namibia’s Government Affairs Manager Elize Petersen as Chef-de-Mission with Bernhard Kaanjuka from the Directorate of Sports in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture (MYSC) as General Team Manager.Speaking at the same occasion, Petersen announced that Air Namibia will provide the flight tickets for the teams to the Commonwealth Games. Meanwhile the acting Indian High Commissioner to Namibia Rajiv Kumar Nagpal, who was also present at the briefing, said most sports venues and hotels have been readied for use during the Commonwealth Games.- Nampa
