Good luck Team Namibia

As Namibia’s 27 athletes join those from a host of other countries to take part in the 2018 Commonwealth Games to be held at the Gold Coast, Australia, it is my privilege to wish them all the best of luck.The event begins tomorrow and will see over more than 6 600 athletes and team officials from 70 nations entertaining the world in Australia.The sport codes are athletics, weightlifting, volleyball, squash, wrestling, shooting, hockey, badminton, basketball, bowls, boxing, cycling, diving, gymnastics, table tennis, netball, sevens rugby, swimming and triathlon.This remarkable event offers athletes with opportunities and the benefit of gaining sporting experience.It is indeed exciting times for those who will be bragging in their national colours at the event.It is also exciting times for us who will be glued to our screens to watch our fellow brothers and sisters of the Land of the Brave.History beckons for some of these athletes as their names will be heard all over the world for the first time in their careers. Namibia has to show the world that we are able to compete at the highest level and we are a brave nation.The time is now that we must take the world by storm and give the best Commonwealth performance in our history.In the past, Namibia has won 18 medals in total at Commonwealth Games.The country has scooped a total of three gold medals, four silvers and 11 bronze.The sensational legendary sprinter Frank Fredericks alone has won two gold medals and a silver and a bronze.In the new generation of Namibian athletes, Jonas Junias came close to ultimate glory with a silver medal he claimed in Glasgow four years ago.Lahja Ishitile also has her name in the medal books following a sensational bronze she took at the games in Glasgow.However, this year a breed of new athletes and team managers will represent the country, coupled with a few athletes who have been on the stage before.The team includes Athletics: Madeleine Kotze (manager), Robert Kaxuxuena (coach), Helalia Johannes, Ndeshimona Ekandjo, Lavinia Haitope, Paulus Iiyambo, Reonard Namupala, Uveni Kugongelwa, Roger Haitengi and Hardus Maritz.Bowling: Sheena du Toit, Johanna van den Berg, Anuleen Viljoen, Lesley Vermeulen, Graham Snyman, Carel Olivier, Douw Calitx and Willem Esterhuizen.Boxing: Israel Hamtumbangela, Kashera Shiyemo (coach/manager), Mathias Hamunyela, Triyagain Ndevelo and Jonas Junias.Cycling: Irene Steyn, Hans du Toit (coach/manager) Tjipekapora Murangi (Mechanic), Michelle Vorster, Vera Adrian, Dan Craven, Martin Freyer, Drikus Coetzee and Tristan De Lange.Gymnastics: Lindsay Adams (coach/manager) and Robert Honiball.Para-athletes: Barbara Fernandez (coach), Ananias Shikongo and Even Tjiviju (guide).Triathlon: Erna Burger (coach/manager) and Jean-Paul Burger.All this individuals have the potential to bring some medals back home.It will be great if Namibia can reclaim a gold medal after so many years have passed since Frank Fredericks last took gold for the Land of the Brave.Fredericks is now in the past and we therefore need new heroes that can produce fireworks and get their names in the history books of the Commonwealth Games.I just hope that the athletes are well prepared to produce unforgettable performances at this global spectacle.For some, it will be their first time to compete against some of the world’s best nations.The stage may appear bigger and greater, but Namibians need to keep their hopes and spirits high in order to achieve the unthinkable. Let us make Namibia proud and bring those medals home!!!!jesse@namibiansun.comJesse Jackson Kauraisa

Good luck Team Namibia

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Namibian Sun 2026-05-06

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Good luck Team Namibia

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Namibian Sun 2026-05-06

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