Promising athletes aim for medals at ISF Gymnasiade
Athletics
The twelve athletes are ready to take on the world and bring home medals.
Twelve of the country’s rising under-18 stars will depart for the Middle East today to compete in track and field athletics at the International School Sport Federation (ISF) Gymnasiade, taking place from tomorrow (Wednesday) until 31 October in Manama, Bahrain.The six girls and six boys were selected by the Namibia Schools Sport Union (NSSU) following the National Athletics Championships held in Windhoek in May.
This year's event, featuring 26 different sports codes with athletes from around the world, promises to be ISF's biggest and Bahrain’s most significant sporting event in history, celebrating athleticism, diversity and sportsmanship in the ‘Pearl of Arabia’.
Namibia’s third appearance
This marks Namibia’s third participation in the ISF Gymnasiade under the NSSU banner.
The country debuted at the ISF U15 World School Sport Games in 2021 in Belgrade, Serbia, sending 17 athletes to compete in chess and athletics. Last year, Namibia participated in the ISF U15 Gymnasiade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with four track and field athletes.
Speaking to Sport Wrap as the girls' representative, Liezel Munyaza (16) from Angra Pequena Senior Secondary School shared her excitement about the upcoming event.
“I’m really excited for this competition. I hope to achieve a medal and set a new personal best.
“All the athletes have been training hard and preparing for this big competition. We just want to enjoy ourselves and have a great time while we’re there,” Munyaza said.
‘Confident to bring back a lot of medals’
Representing the boys, Etienne Lombaard (17) from Windhoek Afrikaans Private School expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to compete.
“We are very thankful to the NSSU for choosing us to participate in this big competition. We’ve all trained very hard, not just to win but to dominate in our sport. I’m confident we will bring back a lot of medals and make our nation proud,” he assured.
Meanwhile, the deputy head of delegation, Ngatunuevi Matudu, expressed confidence in the team's preparedness.
“The boys are ready, the girls are ready. We expect medals from this competition because it’s a platform for our athletes to showcase their talent and be noticed by international clubs.
“The athletes are fit and have been training hard. We fully expect them to perform well,” he assured.
The travelling team
The team of twelve is packed with talent across various track and field events.
They are Kambiri Kazaatjo (17) from Gustav Kandjii High School, competing in both the 400m and 200m, alongside Kosmos Diana (18) from Ombathi Combined School, who will take on the 400m and 800m.
Leena Ekandjo (16) from Etemba Combined School and Delano Apollus (17) from St. Theresa Secondary School will compete in the 800m, alongside William van Wyk (17) from M&K Gertze High School, showcasing his speed in the 400m.
Representing Windhoek High School, Martin Nghililewanga (16), alongside Liezel Munyaza (16) from Angra Pequena Senior Secondary School, will sprint in the 200m and 100m.
Etienne Lombaard (17) from Windhoek Afrikaans Private School will tackle the 400m hurdles and 110m hurdles.
The versatile Alexandra Scheepers (15) from Windhoek Gymnasium will compete in the 200m, high jump and long jump.
The team also includes Lodewikus Viljoen (15) from Pro-Ed Academy, alongside the homeschooled Buhlem Oelofsen (17), taking on discus and shot put.
Rounding out the squad is Hailulu Linda (17) from Okahenge Combined School, competing in the 800m and 1500m.
Traveling officials
They will be accompanied by Teofilus Nuugulu (head of delegation), Matundu (deputy head of delegation), Liebhardt Mogotsi (coach), Royal Sanyambe (boys team manager), Ilona Tuaandi (girls team manager), Donatha Ngunovandu (team medic) and Sakaria Mwaala (safeguarding officer).
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