Countdown to NSSU Nationals begins

Ester Kamati at Rietfontein – Namibia School Sports Union (NSSU) national coordinator Solly Duiker witnessed the Otjozondupa regional athletics event hosted on Saturday at Rietfontein.

Duiker stated that last year was better compared to this year in terms of opportunity for school sports to unfold. Competitions at inter-house level had started on a full scale in early 2020, whereas this year, many schools could not come together to compete due to gathering restrictions and other Covid-19 protocols.

Having attended the regional events for Khomas, Omaheke and Otjozondjupa, Duiker was happy to see athletes back in action.

“If we cannot give athletes something to look forward to, we are failing in our task. I’m grateful for the teachers that have really done a magnificent job.”

He is looking forward to the NSSU national championship on 30 April, which could not take place last year due to Covid-19.

The regional event, organised by Karstveld Academy in Grootfontein as well as the Grootfontein’s community and Zonal committee, was a very smooth event, which was well represented by athletes from all four zones (Okahandja, Otjiwarongo, Okakarara and Grootfontein/Otavi zones).

INDIVIDUAL PERFORMERS

Powerful sprinter Ryk Erasmus was awarded ‘victor ludorum’ for his great performance in the 400m, 200m and 100m track events, in which he set a new personal best in terms of performance.

Erasmus (boys U17) scored a total of 2408 points with his impressive winning times of 11.00, 22.34 and 50.16 respectively.

Leane Boshoff was pronounced the ‘victrix ludorum’ with a total score of 2505 points in the field events. She won the girls U15 discus throw (40.60 metres), shotput (12.99) as well as javelin (31.66).

Boshoff shared that she practiced hard to perfect her technique for the throwing events. “I really want to make it to the Youth Olympics one day,” she said, adding that in the short term, she will try to compete in as many competitions as she can, including in South Africa.

She added that during Covid-19, it has been tough. “You know you are practicing, but you do’t know if there is going to be something that you are practicing for.”

ATHLETES SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE

Edelle van Zyl (U19) from Karstveld Academy also secured first place in each of her field events, winning the discus throw (32.66 m), shot put (9.73) and javelin (33.10).

She said that her favourite of the sport codes is javelin, because she enjoys the technique. “I’ve had a love for it since I was a young girl. I used to watch my brother throw javelin, until I started practicing it myself.”

Thirteen-year-old Ihape Dauses from Otavi Primary School came second in long jump. “I really feel very happy and I am proud of myself, because I was training every day and I had a lot of fun”.

She said going to nationals for the first time would be a bit scary for her, adding that she has to believe in herself.

From Shalom Primary School, Thesalonika Geises and Tommy Haioseb both placed first for 200m and second for 100m. They both shared that they were a bit intimidated as they were not used to large stadiums and facilities such as that at Rietfontein.

Otjozondjupa’s best performers by item:

U13 girls: Angelinea Haoses, 200m (758 points)

U13 boys: Jaco Potgieter, 700m (700 points)

U15 Girls: Leane Boshoff, discus (937 points)

U15 boys: Sethino Hoosep, shot put (734 points)

U17 girls: Carien Oosthuizen, 200m (805 points)

U17 boys: Ryk Erasmus, 400m, 200m, 100m (2408 points)

U19 girls: Edelle van Zyl, shot put (763 points)

U19 boys: Gift Maswahu, 400m (757 points)