Light at end of tunnel for AN - by Carlos Kambaekwa
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18 Mar 2010
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WINDHOEK - After a turbulent period under the leadership of its controversial former president Alpha Kangueehi, Athletics Namibia (AN) appears to be on the right path of recovery.
The union is to host a national track and field event at Windhoek's Independence Stadium on April 10, 2010, where the country's elite athletes from all the 13 politically demarcated regions are expected to be in action.
Bank Windhoek has activated its association with AN, with the announcement of a whopping sponsorship of N$120 000 for the athletics meet to be officially known as the Bank Windhoek Senior National Championships.
"It's our sincere hope to rebuild athletics and take this once flourishing discipline to where it was", said Riaan van Rooyen, Bank Windhoek's Head of Corporate Communications and Social Investment.
"We are proud to be associated with the new board of Athletics Namibia under the leadership of Frank Fredericks and are looking forward to extend this sponsorship beyond its current format for a further two years with the envisaged introduction of Grand Prix events."
In his acceptance speech on behalf of AN, Namibia's internationally acclaimed athletics guru, Quinton Steele-Botes, emphasized the importance of accountability towards financial backers.
"We are happy that an institution like Bank Windhoek sees the importance of local athletics development.
Without Bank Windhoek, Athletics Namibia will not be able to carry out its mandate and organized events such as this one that would allow athletes to compete and grow."
Botes added that the AN will be using the event as a springboard for qualification to major upcoming events such as the All Africa Games, Commonwealth Games and the Summer Olympics.
"We need to groom athletes and place our focus on the 2016 Olympics. I'm hopeful and confident that Namibia's first gold medal at the Olympics will come via athletics, although I also foresee a great future for both the boxing and gymnastics disciplines as well."
Namibian athletes residing outside the borders of the country are obliged to compete at least once a year on home soil and the Bank Windhoek Senior National Championships will offer an ideal opportunity for the foreign legion to test their mettle against their locally based compatriots.
From the 30 Summer Olympics codes, Namibia could only manage to qualify for seven disciplines - with athletics amongst the regular participants since Namibia's admission to the world's athletics governing body in 1990.
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The union is to host a national track and field event at Windhoek's Independence Stadium on April 10, 2010, where the country's elite athletes from all the 13 politically demarcated regions are expected to be in action.
Bank Windhoek has activated its association with AN, with the announcement of a whopping sponsorship of N$120 000 for the athletics meet to be officially known as the Bank Windhoek Senior National Championships.
"It's our sincere hope to rebuild athletics and take this once flourishing discipline to where it was", said Riaan van Rooyen, Bank Windhoek's Head of Corporate Communications and Social Investment.
"We are proud to be associated with the new board of Athletics Namibia under the leadership of Frank Fredericks and are looking forward to extend this sponsorship beyond its current format for a further two years with the envisaged introduction of Grand Prix events."
In his acceptance speech on behalf of AN, Namibia's internationally acclaimed athletics guru, Quinton Steele-Botes, emphasized the importance of accountability towards financial backers.
"We are happy that an institution like Bank Windhoek sees the importance of local athletics development.
Without Bank Windhoek, Athletics Namibia will not be able to carry out its mandate and organized events such as this one that would allow athletes to compete and grow."
Botes added that the AN will be using the event as a springboard for qualification to major upcoming events such as the All Africa Games, Commonwealth Games and the Summer Olympics.
"We need to groom athletes and place our focus on the 2016 Olympics. I'm hopeful and confident that Namibia's first gold medal at the Olympics will come via athletics, although I also foresee a great future for both the boxing and gymnastics disciplines as well."
Namibian athletes residing outside the borders of the country are obliged to compete at least once a year on home soil and the Bank Windhoek Senior National Championships will offer an ideal opportunity for the foreign legion to test their mettle against their locally based compatriots.
From the 30 Summer Olympics codes, Namibia could only manage to qualify for seven disciplines - with athletics amongst the regular participants since Namibia's admission to the world's athletics governing body in 1990.
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