From the Sidelines with Corry Ihuhua

EVEN if Frank Fredericks reckons that he has not yet retired from running, the legendary Namibian will still remain one of the greatest athletes that has ever emerged from the African continent.

Fredericks reportedly denied reports in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) this week that he will quit the sport he has served with distinction for over two decades now. Nevertheless, he has already gone down into the history books of athletics as the gentleman of the track with his ever competitive approach and an awesome sense of sportsmanship.The 36-year-old Namibian has proven in the recent races at the Olympics, that his spark on the track has not faded, and has some left in him for a few more races before he calls it a day.Fredericks, a double silver medalist at the Olympics, has been an icon on that front and has proved to be a good ambassador for his country, which has so far given him the automatic status of an idol, wherever he goes around the world.Fredericks will be best remembered as a humble and dedicated sportsman, who has set a wonderful example to his predecessors – that of believing in themselves.A new generation of sprinters in Namibia are currently trying to emulate their grand sprinting idol in their performances, but it will not only take them total commitment and a high level of discipline, but true character, coupled with a great deal of years to perfect and surpass his achievements.Can be achieved, but will never be easy.Fredericks has done his country proud and his good and bad times on and off the track, makes him what he is today – a complete sprint dynamo who represents the best a sportsman can be.* The two Namibian boxers, Joseph Lilongwe’s and Paulus Ambunda did well at the Games, considering them being first entrants at the continental sport gathering.The two at least made it past their first rounds, but fell short of points in the quarter-final bouts despite spirited performances.They were both hailed for their gutsy approach against their much experienced opponents in those ranks, but they indeed have fantastic careers ahead of them.Apart from the two boxers, Namibia also has an abundance of boxers who want to make a breakthrough only if given more exposure on the international level.The crop of amateur boxers in the country have proven successful in the regional competitions and it will be only a matter of time for some to clinch professional deals.Agnes Samaria has struggled from the end of last year and her performance was heavily exposed when she lost out in the second round of her 800 metre race last week.Her endurance and a fighting spirit carried her through in the first round, but that was not enough the second time around.Samaria has also carved her name in the hearts of many Namibians and she is not done yet.She still has a chance to run more races, as Mozambique’s Maria Mutola and Britain’s Kelly Holmes, will possibly not continue for long.Enough rest to prepare for major races next season, will be of great help to the Otjiwarongo girl after the Olympics.The biggest disappointment of them all is Christie van Wyk, who dropped out in the first round of the 100m.After all the fuss on his exclusion from the Olympic team, the high expectations placed on him did not pay off.He put the blame not having enough money and time to prepare for the Games.That was however not mentioned while fights went on for him to be included in the team.It is important that sport officials sort out issues that affect the athletes ahead of such big events, to avoid a situation of who should take the blame.Both athletics officials and sport authorities surely learnt a lesson that squabbles should be avoided at all costs for the benefit of the participants.The best thing that can happen for Namibia at the next Olympics in Beijing 2008), should be an increased number of competitors, not participants, to bring medals.Nevertheless, he has already gone down into the history books of athletics as the gentleman of the track with his ever competitive approach and an awesome sense of sportsmanship.The 36-year-old Namibian has proven in the recent races at the Olympics, that his spark on the track has not faded, and has some left in him for a few more races before he calls it a day.Fredericks, a double silver medalist at the Olympics, has been an icon on that front and has proved to be a good ambassador for his country, which has so far given him the automatic status of an idol, wherever he goes around the world.Fredericks will be best remembered as a humble and dedicated sportsman, who has set a wonderful example to his predecessors – that of believing in themselves.A new generation of sprinters in Namibia are currently trying to emulate their grand sprinting idol in their performances, but it will not only take them total commitment and a high level of discipline, but true character, coupled with a great deal of years to perfect and surpass his achievements.Can be achieved, but will never be easy.Fredericks has done his country proud and his good and bad times on and off the track, makes him what he is today – a complete sprint dynamo who represents the best a sportsman can be.* The two Namibian boxers, Joseph Lilongwe’s and Paulus Ambunda did well at the Games, considering them being first entrants at the continental sport gathering.The two at least made it past their first rounds, but fell short of points in the quarter-final bouts despite spirited performances.They were both hailed for their gutsy approach against their much experienced opponents in those ranks, but they indeed have fantastic careers ahead of them.Apart from the two boxers, Namibia also has an abundance of boxers who want to make a breakthrough only if given more exposure on the international level.The crop of amateur boxers in the country have proven successful in the regional competitions and it will be only a matter of time for some to clinch professional deals.Agnes Samaria has struggled from the end of last year and her performance was heavily exposed when she lost out in the second round of her 800 metre race last week.Her endurance and a fighting spirit carried her through in the first round, but that was not enough the second time around.Samaria has also carved her name in the hearts of many Namibians and she is not done yet.She still has a chance to run more races, as Mozambique’s Maria Mutola and Britain’s Kelly Holmes, will possibly not continue for long.Enough rest to prepare for major races next season, will be of great help to the Otjiwarongo girl after the Olympics.The biggest disappointment of them all is Christie van Wyk, who dropped out in the first round of the 100m.After all the fuss on his exclusion from the Olympic team, the high expectations placed on him did not pay off.He put the blame not having enough money and time to prepare for the Games.That was however not mentioned while fights went on for him to be included in the team.It is important that sport officials sort out issues that affect the athletes ahead of such big events, to avoid a situation of who should take the blame.Both athletics officials and sport authorities surely learnt a lesson that squabbles should be avoided at all costs for the benefit of the participants.The best thing that can happen for Namibia at the next Olympics in Beijing 2008), should be an increased number of competitors, not participants, to bring medals.