Last athletics event this weekend

THE senior and junior track and field athletics championships will be held at the Independence Stadium this weekend.

The event has been sponsored by Bank Windhoek to the tune of N$53 000 and will be held in conjunction with Athletics Namibia. The competition on Friday and Saturday will start at 08h30 on both days, according to chief organiser Quinton-Steele Botes.Botes said the championships would be the last for this season, before it resumes in September.He said it would also give coaches an opportunity to scout for athletes who could be included in national teams, especially for the junior world championships later this year.At the same occasion, Athletics Namibia president Alpha Kangueehi said athletes from four southern African countries would compete against the locals at the event.He said 20 athletes were expected from South Africa, another 20 from Botswana, ten from Zimbabwe and a few from Swaziland.He said top-class performances were expected from the local and foreign athletes, as they would want to qualify for international competitions later this year.He thanked Bank Windhoek for its sponsorship and the Ministry of Youth and Sport for its active involvement in athletics development.The competition on Friday and Saturday will start at 08h30 on both days, according to chief organiser Quinton-Steele Botes.Botes said the championships would be the last for this season, before it resumes in September.He said it would also give coaches an opportunity to scout for athletes who could be included in national teams, especially for the junior world championships later this year.At the same occasion, Athletics Namibia president Alpha Kangueehi said athletes from four southern African countries would compete against the locals at the event.He said 20 athletes were expected from South Africa, another 20 from Botswana, ten from Zimbabwe and a few from Swaziland.He said top-class performances were expected from the local and foreign athletes, as they would want to qualify for international competitions later this year.He thanked Bank Windhoek for its sponsorship and the Ministry of Youth and Sport for its active involvement in athletics development.