National youth games to thrill

The multi-disciplinary under-20 inaugural Namibia National Youth Games which will see an estimated 1 600 athletes competing in ten sport codes in Windhoek will commence on Thursday through to Sunday.Teams from 14 regions of Namibia are expected to arrive on Wednesday to take part in the games hosted by the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) and the sport ministry.NSC undertook regional visits to all 14 of Namibia's regions between 14 January and 15 February this year where the idea was discussed with sport officers, convenors and other sport stakeholders in the regions. Regions are expected to bring athletes to compete in football, volleyball, netball, basketball, boxing, tennis, judo, athletics, Para-athletics and swimming. The chief sports administrator of NSC Freddy Mwiya said logistics are in order and that sports lovers should come in their numbers to support the athletes.“We need to show corporates that there is a future in sports and the only way they can do that is if they see full stadiums,” he said.“The athletes need extra motivation and cheer during the games. I also urge coaches to come and identify talent for their respective clubs,” Mwiya said. Mwiya also said that to produce athletes of elite level, youth sport development cannot be compromised. “It is no secret that funding from the state will remain a challenge for years to come, but this cannot be an excuse for why this dream cannot be put into action,” he added. Mwiya said the aim of the games was also to identify and prepare young athletes to compete in the SADC Region Five Youth Games, with this year's event due to take place in Botswana towards the end of the year. He said the number of codes could increase in the future, but the initial ten codes that were selected, coincided with the codes that compete at the Region 5 Games. According to Manuel Carballo, head of the marketing division of the (NNYG) local organising committee, the objectives of the games include the following: Bringing Namibia's youth closer together through a common interest in sportsmanship and competition, to promote a unique, friendly world-class competition and to develop sport for the benefit of the youth of Namibia, the regions and all the communities of the nation. Furthermore, they hope to encourage and assist sport and to promote the shared values of the Olympic Games, integrity, fair play, competence, commitment to excellence, respect for gender equality and tolerance, including the fight against the use of drugs in sport, and of unhealthy or performance enhancing substances. The Independence Stadium, University of Namibia, NFA technical centre and the Olympia swimming pool are venues for the games. The City of Windhoek will provide transport for those in Katutura and wishing to attend the opening ceremony on Thursday. LIMBA MUPETAMI

National youth games to thrill

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-12-16

Please login to leave a comment

National youth games to thrill

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-12-16

Please login to leave a comment

Subscription Required to Access Content ×

Login

Subscription Required to Access Content