Namibian athletes get training boost

Tielman Van LillWindhoekA group of Namibian athletes are travelling to Botswana this week to receive specialised training as part of the Podium Performance Programme (PPP).Namibia and Botswana signed an agreement for the PPP in 2020, but it could not be implemented at the time.Salome Iyambo of the Namibian Sports Commission is the chief coordinator of the initiative in Namibia.The sole purpose of the programme is to identify athletes from different sporting codes who will receive intense training by taking part in specialised high-performance programmes to reach their full potential so that they will not only compete but also win medals.Beneficiaries to winThe programme kicks off this week with a team of 52 athletes, 12 coaches, five technical officers, five officials, four journalists, and two paramedics travelling to Gaborone, Botswana, for their first training camp.The athletes will be coached in athletics, amateur boxing, judo, karate, and para-athletics from 25 to 28 April. On 29 April, the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event will take place in Gaborone at the National Stadium, where Namibian athletes will participate.Four athletes from Botswana and Namibia as well as countries from Region 5 of the African Union will be coached every three months at the MTC Dome’s high performance centre in Swakopmund.The expenses of the athletes will be paid by the African Union Sports Council (AUSC Region 5).The preliminary teamAthletics: Gilbert Hainuca, Hatango Murere, Elvis Gaseb (100 and 200 metres); Lionel Coetzee (100 m, long jump), Mervin Appolus (200 m); Ivan Danny Geldenhuys; Elton Hoeseb (400 m); André Retief (400 m and 400 hurdles); Ryan Williams (discus). Sade de Sousa, Ndawana Haitembu, Jade Nangula, Fikunawa Hanganeni (100 & 200 m); Johanna Ludgerus (100 and 400 m); Nandi Vass (200 and 400 m); Inosensia Haingura (400 m); Alessandra Kaura (long jump); and Tuané Silver (shot put).Para-athletics: Ananias Shikongo, Johannes Nambala, Petrus Karuli, Chris Kinda (400 m).Boxing: Elifas Imene (48 kg), Johannes Trofimus (54 kg), Elifas Shailemo (60 kg), Divas Uushona (63.5 kg), Jonas Lukas (67 kg), Petrus Festus (75 kg), Phillip Heveleni (80 kg), and Gerhard Iipinge (86 kg).Women: Ndapandula Ngesheya (48kg), Mirjam Nghilongwa (50kg), Naanda Shalongo (57 kg), and Melissa Sekera (66kg).Judo: Rowan Esau, Ian Esau, Vatiraije Tjipueja, and Gerzano Mouton, Michaella Soabes, Channellee Aochamus.Karate: Keanu Stuurman, Timothy Coleman, Titus Nakambonde, Joshua Kunneke, Phillip van Antwerpen, Julio Mwiya, Freddy Mwiya, Suzelle Pronk, Miriam Idiuo, Requelle Rickerts, Ronja Porteus.tielman@republikein.com.na

Namibian athletes get training boost

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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Namibian athletes get training boost

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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