Former track burner now manages nurses 

Born and raised at Gobabis, former University of Namibia (Unam) Athletics Club and national team sprinter Christophine Dausas is the trendsetter for black Namibian woman sprinters.

Dausas was the fastest woman sprinter before independence, earning herself Zebra colours, which were bestowed on top sportsmen and women who represented the country at provincial level in South Africa during the South West Africa era.

However, it was not after Namibia’s independence that the retired speedster started to burn the track with the excellent coaching and mentorship she started receiving from coach Lucky Gawanab and late team manager Werner Jeffrey at Unam.

“I did both netball and athletics at primary school, while I pursued netball more at both Epako and Petrus Ganeb secondary schools. However, when I went to Unam the athletics bug bit me again and I competed in the 100m, 200m, as well as the 4x100m relay,” Dausas says.

She says her running form really took off when she came to Windhoek to pursue her studies at Unam, where she joined the university’s athletics club.

“When I made the Tertiary Institutions Sports Association of Namibia (Tisan) team, we went to Swaziland for the Confederation of Universities and Colleges Sports Association (Cucsa) Zone VI Student Games in 1993,” she says.

“Obtaining three silver medals in the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay were my happiest moments. That’s where people got to witness my talent. I booked my place on the Tisan team to the World University Games in Buffalo, New York.”

The Gobabis-born star continued her fine form in 1994, which saw her scooping two gold medals and one silver at the Cucsa Games in Botswana to secure her the victrix ludorum title.

“I upped my ante during the Cucsa Games that Namibia hosted at Walvis Bay in 1995 by securing three gold medals for my country as I dominated on home soil.

“This time my efforts were rewarded with another international competition in Fukuoka in Japan.”

Dausas describes the victrix ludorum title she won in Botswana as her biggest athletics achievement ever.

“There were no individual awards for athletes at all the schools I attended, starting from the primary school right through secondary school. I can’t describe with words how excited I was to return home from a foreign country with such a massive achievement.

“All in all I have to thank athletics for taking me to countries I would never have imagined to visit,” she says.

WORK, FAMILY

Dausas has three daughters and is a registered nurse.

She holds a supervisory position at Windhoek Central Hospital’s mental health unit.

“I am employed as a registered nurse by the Ministry of Health and Social Services, and I am attached to the mental healthcare centre, which is a subdivision of Windhoek Central Hospital.

“I am basically supervising the nursing staff supplying the daily normal nursing care, just like at any hospital,” Dausas says.

She says one has to learn to stay calm, be patient, amd offer patients reassurance, which can be very challenging.

The former Unam Athletics Club runner says she is happy with her achievements on the track.

“My biggest influence on the track was former Jamaican track and field sprinter Merlene Ottey, who continued running for almost 24 years,” Dausas says.

“What is really so inspirational about her is the fact that was named Jamaican Sportswoman of the Year a whopping 13 times.”

She says she is not actively involved in sport any longer, because her career is too demanding.

Dausas attributes her consistent performance to a disciplined regimen of practice.

“To be on top of your game you have to practise, practise and practise more, because you can only become the superstar you want to be through practising.

“It is so easy and exciting to enter a race, knowing you are super fit,” she says.

Her advice to young players is to abstain from drug and aclcohol abuse.

“Stay committed and focused on your sport, and never cease to pursue your dreams,” she says.