The 22nd Quinton Steele Botes Athletics Training Camp started at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek on Monday and will continue till Friday, 9 January.
Despite Botes’ passing away last year, the event has continued with Athletics Namibia executive member Leonie van Rensburg taking over the reins as the chief organiser. According to Van Rensburg, she felt it was important to continue Botes’ legacy.
“I felt that Quinton’s efforts should not be in vain and that we have to continue with his work. He lit the flame and we have to keep the flames burning.”
Van Rensburg met all the sponsors of the Quinton Steele Botes Athletics Training Camp and they all agreed to continue sponsoring the event.
“Not one of the sponsors pulled out. Quinton built up a very good relationship with the sponsors and they all wanted to see the camp continuing for the sake of athletics in Namibia. They also agreed that it would continue under Quinton’s name,” she added.
Some of the sponsors that are involved are Bank Windhoek, Marathon Sugar, Hyundai, Wimpy, Engen, Avis Rent a Car, Arebbusch Lodge, Otb Sport, Exco Sport, Starlite and Fruit and Veg.
This year’s camp has seen a smaller intake with only about 100 participants having registered by Monday.
They are mostly learners from Windhoek, although entries have also been received from Gobabis, Grootfontein, Stampriet, Outjo and Keetmanshoop.
Coaches and parents are also participating and will be trained in various track and field events while an officials course is also being held in the evenings.
Events that will be presented are sprints, hurdles, middle and long distance running, javelin, discus, shot put, long jump, triple jump, high jump and pole vault.
Top South African coaches Steve Rautenbach and Hugo Badenhorst are not present this year although South African coach Linley de Beer, who specialises in throwing events, is participating.
The rest of the coaches are Namibian and include well-known coaches like Christine van der Linde, Eugene Venter, Madeleine Kotze, Sherwin Vries, Charmaine Smit and Christo Swart.
Primary school and older beginner athletes will attend training in the morning, while more advanced athletes will train in the afternoons.
Each day at 14h30 a biokineticist, physiotherapist and a nutritionist will present a short information session for athletes, parents and coaches.
A mini-competition will be held on Wednesday afternoon, from 15h00 to 16h00, while the training camp will officially be closed at 12h00 on Friday.
In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.
The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
