NNOC to send young Namibian achievers to Youth Olympics

WINDHOEK, 25 MAY  – The Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) has selected two young Namibians, June Shimoushili and Joshua Sharpley, to represent the country at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The games will take place from 30 September to 19 October 2018.

Shimoushili, who works for the Namibian Sun, will join 30 young reporters from the rest of the world who will work and train at the main press centre of the Youth Olympic Games, under the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Young Reporters Programme

Speaking at a media conference here on Thursday, NNOC sports administrator Joan Smith said she will receive intensive and specialised media training from seasoned journalists.

“June is a former best entertainment journalist of the year who shares a passion for media which began at an early age. She wants to explore social media’s relationship and its use for disseminating information to the general public,” Smith said.

The IOC Young Reporters Programmes is now on its third year, but for Namibia, this will be the first time the country is being represented.

Shimoushili will not only be representing Namibia, she will be representing Africa as well.
The Namibian journalist will receive an assessment of her work throughout the course and an IOC certificate of Participation on completion.

If she does well, she will be joining 11 other young journalists at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne, Switzerland in 2020.

The Young Reporters will be offered intensive class and field training in written, photographic, television, radio and new media reporting of sport throughout the Youth Olympic Games.

Sharpley will take part in the Inspirational Young Change-Makers programme, which forms part of a worldwide network of young inspirational young people who are bonded by their unique experiences.

These young leaders will be empowered to positively impact their community and make real differences.

“They will tackle issues related to social entrepreneurship targeting youths. This will help social health, education and generate capital within communities,” Smith said.

She added that this is a real opportunity to make changes within communities, as Sharpley will embark on a special project of his choice.

On their part, the two pledged to represent the country to the best of their ability, saying they would like to see many young Namibians benefit from such platforms.

“I hope to learn as much as I can from this programme. I am looking forward to learning about sports, since I am an entertainment journalist, and I hope this also opens doors for me and other journalist,” Shimoushili said.

Sharpley meanwhile said he wants to make a difference, especially at the After School Centre in Windhoek which looks after unfortunate children after school.

“Children who go there never go back and with this project I will help develop talent there through any means possible,” he said.
He said he will also source equipment for training and evaluation.
The IOC is covering all expenses for this trip.
NAMPA