WINDHOEK, 17 APR – Athletics Namibia (AN) will host the 28th edition of the Senior Track and Field National Championships at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium on Friday and Saturday.
Speaking to the media here on Tuesday, AN President Erwin Naimhwaka said they expect an exciting competition as a number of top athletes will be taking part.
Some of the athletes expected are Sade De Sousa, Even Tjiviju, Ismael Tjiramba and Julien Jacobs, who has been in good form this season, and Reinholdt Tomas, who is expected to defend his 5 000 metre crown.
Naimhwaka explained that the top eight athletes in each event during the regional club challenges which took place between January and March, are participating in the national championships.
“Each region may also enter two athletes who qualify per event if they meet the qualification standards,” he said.
If there are no athletes that qualified, the regions are allowed to enter one athlete.
He added that the national championships also serve as qualifiers for international events.
“We always try our best to have our nationals held according to international standards. This helps our athletes get opportunities to compete in international events,” he said.
Naimhwaka therefore called on athletes to bring their A-game so as to qualify for international events.
He noted that upcoming events include the World Under-20 Championships in July, the African Games, the Youth Games in Argentina and the African Championships in Nigeria.
Naimhwaka said Commonwealth Games gold medallist Helalia Johannes will be attending the games and she will afford fans a photo opportunity.
The marathon runner won Namibia’s second gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, which end in Queensland, Australia on Sunday.
The other gold medal was won by boxer Jonas Junius on Saturday.
NAMPA
