Athletics Namibia prioritises growth

With the aim of improving service delivery, Athletics Namibia (AN) president Erwin Naimhwaka says the organisation has identified specific priorities, including major events, development plans, talent identification and planned collaborations to reach their goal.

1. Priorities and strategic objectives:

Naimhwaka highlighted a focus on creating strong teams for continental competitions, providing ideal opportunities for athletes to qualify for the Olympic Games in 2024. The plan involves organising local competitions, like the AN Grand Prix Series, and participating in competitions across the SADC region.

2. Major events and competitions:

AN plans to continue the Grand Prix Series and National Championships, with an emphasis on encouraging more clubs to organise competitions. Naimhwaka said the local calendar is robust, offering ample opportunities for top performers to be identified for regional and continental competitions, including the All Africa Games and the African Championships.

3. Grassroots development:

Naimhwaka further emphasised the importance of athletic club structures as the frontline for grassroots development. The association is encouraged by the increasing involvement of clubs, including youth and young athletes, in organising events. AN collaborates closely with the Namibia School Sports Union to facilitate grassroots development in the country.

4. Talent identification and development:

Competitions and club structures serve as platforms for talent identification, with a focus on competition and coach development. The association aims to ensure that athletes at the clubs receive quality training to nurture emerging talents within the sport.

5. Coaching and training infrastructure:

AN utilises World Athletics training programmes for coaches and technical officials, offering online entry-level courses. In remote areas with connectivity challenges, face-to-face training sessions are organised. Clubs play a crucial role in organising and facilitating such training initiatives.

6. Partnerships and collaborations:

Acknowledging the support of corporate Namibia, Naimwhaka expressed gratitude to organisations like Debmarine, Namdia, FNB Namibia, Standard Bank Namibia, the Pupkewitz Foundation, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, the Road Fund Administration and the Namibian government. He added that the association has collaborated effectively with the Namibia National Olympic Committee in the development of athletics.

7. Athlete well-being and development:

The president further explained that AN’s efforts are geared towards supporting athletes to develop into world-class athletes. The recently adopted safeguard policy at the 2023 Athletics Namibia Congress aims to protect athletes from any forms of abuse, emphasising the holistic development of athletes.

8. Inclusivity and diversity:

Naimhwaka highlighted that athletics, by its nature, is an inclusive and diversified sport. All regions are encouraged to join the athletics family in Namibia, with the Development Grand Prix Series taking athletics to every corner of the country. The association is committed to fostering inclusivity and diversity within the sport.

Naimhwaka said AN continuously engages with the public through various platforms, including its website, social media platforms and the media.

"Most of our events are made possible through the sponsorship of corporate Namibia," he said, adding: "We, however, hope that these engagements can evolve into long-term arrangements to facilitate better planning and certainty of the activities."