Twenty-six athletes eye glory at African School Champs

Namibia Schools Sport Union (NSSU) has fielded twenty-six of the country’s finest athletes across seven sports codes to compete at the inaugural African School Games from this Saturday until 5 August in Algeria.The Games will be held across the country’s four towns, including Annaba, Constantine, Sétif and Skikda, by the International School Sport Federation (ISF) in collaboration with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (Anoca).With the participation of 51 countries, over 3 000 athletes aged 14 to 17 will battle it out across 25 sports codes.The tournament also serves as preparation for the African Youth Games, to be held this December in Luanda, Angola, as well as the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, in October and November next year.According to Anoca, the event will also include traditional Olympic sports and emerging ones like three-on-three basketball and skateboarding.“The Games aim to showcase young talent, promote sports development and uphold Olympic values,” they said.AthleticsNamibian athletes fielded for athletics are Asley Martins, Victoria Loini Lisas, Elkana Shikongo Iileka and Matthew Bradley Coetzee. They will be accompanied by coach Kleopas Hamhola, official Willem Gerhardus Petrus Martins and team manager Meriam Minin.BoxingBoxing athletes are Johannes Haungeya, Ananias Ananias, Matheus Kalingodi and Mac-Million Leukes. They will be accompanied by coaches Lungameni Ipundaka and Damian Ndengu, alongside judge and referee Joel Ngungu.CyclingCycling athletes are Rosemarie Thiel, Marco Thiel, Sean Lowe and Christiaan van der Westhuizen. They will be accompanied by coach Carolin Janik.GymnasticsSole artistic gymnast Zine-Edine Meziane will be accompanied by his father and coach, Mohammed Meziane.EquestrianEquestrian has fielded Alyssa Hopking, Arinda Duvenhage, Emily Le Roux, Vunè Robberts, Elbe Potgieter, Elani Potgieter and Dirk Kotze. They will be accompanied by team managers Vanessa Glowania and Johanna Potgieter, alongside official Helena de Wit.WrestlingWrestlers fielded are Henrico Durand, Shithigona Shipopyeni and Petrus Haibodi. They will be accompanied by coach Alexandro Haininga and team manager Francois Durand.ManagementThe management contingent comprises chef de mission Rogerdeltry Kambatuku, Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) secretary general Joan Smit, Anoca executive board member and Games coordination commission member Gaby Ahrens, deputy chef de mission and NNOC board member Britt Adonis-Byl, safeguarding officer Magdalena Katimba, board member Andrew Masongo and administrative officer Anna Geleni.Speaking to this publication about the competition, Kambatuku highlighted the Games’ significance, emphasising the country’s fortune to compete shortly after it successfully hosted the Region 5 Youth Games.“These Games are [a crucial platform] for the youth to showcase their talent,” he said.Acknowledging their partnership with the Olympic committee, Kambatuku applauded the sports ministry’s financial support through the Directorate of Sport.– mariud@nsh.com.na

Twenty-six athletes eye glory at African School Champs

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-10-30

Please login to leave a comment

Twenty-six athletes eye glory at African School Champs

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-10-30

Please login to leave a comment

Subscription Required to Access Content ×

Login

Subscription Required to Access Content