Top quality athletes in Namibia for first Grand Prix meeting

INTERNATIONAL athletes across the world are scheduled to compete in Namibia’s first ever Bank Windhoek Grand Prix slated for the Independence stadium tomorrow.

The much-awaited event billed to start at 16h00 is expected to showcase Namibia’s local athletic talents competing against the best in Africa and Europe. Sports Consultant Quinton-Steel Botes this week said that in total 34 international athletes would strut their stuff in the hope of qualifying for the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece later this year.He said the meeting is of international standard, adding that electronic devices would be utilised.South Africa athletes are Llewellyn Herbert (400m), Hendrik Mokganyetsi (400m), Elizma Naude (discus), Chris Gebhardt (400m), Tshepo Thobolangope (400m), Charlie Strohmenger (long jump), Big Famuman (high jump), Waner Botha (800), Morne Nagel (100 and 200m), Clinton Venter, Paul Goerris, Shane Morris, Markus la Grange and Benedictus Boshoff (high jump).The Kenyans will be represented by John Ngure (100 and 200 m), Jane Ralama (400M), Joshua Mairure (5000m) and Susan Muthoni (1500m) According to Botes some athletes will come from Swaziland and Germany.On the local front, he said that Namibia’s 800 metre athlete, Agnes Samaria and 100 and 200 metre sprinter, Christie van Wyk, would not be part of the meeting.Local athletes are Frank Fredericks, Frank Puriza, Willem Rooi, Lucketz Swartbooi, Edie Basson, Beata Naigambo, Isaskar Gariseb, Sylvester Naute, Gerda Engelbrecht and Charmaine Smith will be some of the athletes vying for top honours.Botes said that there is a prize money of N$3 000 for every event, while international athletes would only receive performance fees.Benedictus Botha (100 and 200m), who is currently studying in South African, will also run at the meeting.- NampaSports Consultant Quinton-Steel Botes this week said that in total 34 international athletes would strut their stuff in the hope of qualifying for the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece later this year.He said the meeting is of international standard, adding that electronic devices would be utilised.South Africa athletes are Llewellyn Herbert (400m), Hendrik Mokganyetsi (400m), Elizma Naude (discus), Chris Gebhardt (400m), Tshepo Thobolangope (400m), Charlie Strohmenger (long jump), Big Famuman (high jump), Waner Botha (800), Morne Nagel (100 and 200m), Clinton Venter, Paul Goerris, Shane Morris, Markus la Grange and Benedictus Boshoff (high jump).The Kenyans will be represented by John Ngure (100 and 200 m), Jane Ralama (400M), Joshua Mairure (5000m) and Susan Muthoni (1500m) According to Botes some athletes will come from Swaziland and Germany.On the local front, he said that Namibia’s 800 metre athlete, Agnes Samaria and 100 and 200 metre sprinter, Christie van Wyk, would not be part of the meeting.Local athletes are Frank Fredericks, Frank Puriza, Willem Rooi, Lucketz Swartbooi, Edie Basson, Beata Naigambo, Isaskar Gariseb, Sylvester Naute, Gerda Engelbrecht and Charmaine Smith will be some of the athletes vying for top honours.Botes said that there is a prize money of N$3 000 for every event, while international athletes would only receive performance fees.Benedictus Botha (100 and 200m), who is currently studying in South African, will also run at the meeting.- Nampa