Namibian runners off to Zimbabwe

A TEAM of eight athletes have been selected to represent Namibia at the annual Southern African Half-Marathon Championships in Harare, Zimbabwe on October 10.

The athletes are Reinholdt Iita, Willem Rooi, Tuhafeni Petrus, David Thomas, Beata Naigambo, Rauna Paulus, Racher Akukothela and Hilaria Johannes. Acting president of Athletics Namibia (AN) Alpha Kangueehi told Nampa that the athletes were selected on the basis of their performances during the Victory Races Series that came to an end last Saturday.Kangueehi, who will accompany the athletes as team manager said the team would not travel as a national team because AN had not applied for Namibian colours in time.He added that AN still had to approach the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) for permission to leave the country as well as to request financial assistance.Namibia did poorly during the 2003 edition of the race that was held in Swakopmund last November.On that occasion a development team ended third behind the winner Botswana, while Swaziland came second.Four of Namibia’s top road runners including Naigambo, Paulus, Rooi and Lucketz Swartbooi were temporarily suspended before the race in 2003 following their refusal to run in the Southern African Half-Marathon Championship.The athletes refused to run because they were only informed five days before the race that they were selected to represent the country.Kangueehi said the 2004 team had been informed two or three months ago that they would run in Zimbabawe.The team will depart for Harare on October 6.Meanwhile, Kangueehi said AN would move into their new offices on October 15.AN recently acquired office space at the Independence stadium after running the union’s affairs from their briefcases since its inception.He said renovation to the former changing rooms at the stadium would commence this week.AN will advertise for an office assistant in due course, but for the next month a volunteer will be sought to man the office.National trials to select a team to compete in the Botswana and Zimbabwean Grand Prixs next year will take place on October 23.The Grand Prix in Botswana is scheduled for April 16, followed by the Zimbabwean Grand Prix on April 20, while the Namibian Grand Prix is scheduled for April 23.Kangueehi told Nampa that 30 athletes would be selected at the trials to attend a training camp from December until March 2005.Meanwhile, Kangueehi told Nampa that AN would submit its development program to the Ministry of Basic Education, Sport and Culture for approval soon.The development program will start in the Ohagwena region next month, after which it will be taken to Keetmanshoop.- NampaActing president of Athletics Namibia (AN) Alpha Kangueehi told Nampa that the athletes were selected on the basis of their performances during the Victory Races Series that came to an end last Saturday.Kangueehi, who will accompany the athletes as team manager said the team would not travel as a national team because AN had not applied for Namibian colours in time.He added that AN still had to approach the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) for permission to leave the country as well as to request financial assistance.Namibia did poorly during the 2003 edition of the race that was held in Swakopmund last November.On that occasion a development team ended third behind the winner Botswana, while Swaziland came second.Four of Namibia’s top road runners including Naigambo, Paulus, Rooi and Lucketz Swartbooi were temporarily suspended before the race in 2003 following their refusal to run in the Southern African Half-Marathon Championship.The athletes refused to run because they were only informed five days before the race that they were selected to represent the country.Kangueehi said the 2004 team had been informed two or three months ago that they would run in Zimbabawe.The team will depart for Harare on October 6.Meanwhile, Kangueehi said AN would move into their new offices on October 15.AN recently acquired office space at the Independence stadium after running the union’s affairs from their briefcases since its inception.He said renovation to the former changing rooms at the stadium would commence this week.AN will advertise for an office assistant in due course, but for the next month a volunteer will be sought to man the office.National trials to select a team to compete in the Botswana and Zimbabwean Grand Prixs next year will take place on October 23.The Grand Prix in Botswana is scheduled for April 16, followed by the Zimbabwean Grand Prix on April 20, while the Namibian Grand Prix is scheduled for April 23.Kangueehi told Nampa that 30 athletes would be selected at the trials to attend a training camp from December until March 2005.Meanwhile, Kangueehi told Nampa that AN would submit its development program to the Ministry of Basic Education, Sport and Culture for approval soon.The development program will start in the Ohagwena region next month, after which it will be taken to Keetmanshoop.- Nampa