NamibiaSport

A Namibian team of 13 athletes will participate at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, India from October 12 to 18.


Commonwealth Games Youth team

It is the third Commonwealth Youth Games for athletes Under 19, following previous events in Scotland and Australia, and will be the first time that Namibia will be represented at the Games.

At the team’s farewell in Windhoek on Tuesday, the president of the Namibia National Olympic Committee, Agnes Tjongarero thanked Hollard Insurance and Namibian Beverages who both came on board as sponsors of the team. Hollard contributed N$13 150 while Namibia Beverages, through its brand Powerade, contributed tracksuits and t-shirts for the athletes.

They joined other sponsors Bank Windhoek and Namibia Medical Care who contributed to the team’s clothing and tracksuit expenses.
Tjongarero also thanked the Indian High Commission for contributing N$4 600 towards the printing costs for the Namibian team brochure.

Tjongarero called on the Namibian athletes to grab their opportunity since good performances could ensure future success.

“You are very privileged to have this once in a lifetime chance, so don’t blame anyone if you don’t take it,” she said.

“Those who do well will form part of the Namibian team that will participate at the SADC Zone 6 Youth Games in South Africa in December. If you do well and come back with some medals, the sky will be the limit. The Commonwealth Games, the 2010 Junior Olympics, the 2011 All Africa Games and the 2012 Olympic Games are just some of the events that are coming up that you can aim for,” she said.

The Namibian team is as follows:

Athletics:
Dantago Gurirab (100m and 200m), Hardus Maritz (110 m hurdles), Cassie Muuajo (100m and 200m), Strydom van der Wath (javelin), Merlyn Daimond (100m and 200m), Nandi Jordaan (100m hurdles and high jump), Elfi Potgieter (javelin), Michelle Pretorius (high jump), Steffi van Wyk (100m hurdles) and Erastus Siyemba (coach).

Swimming: Daniella Lindemeier, Christine Minders and Sonja Lindemeier (coach).

Wrestling: Sem Shilimela, Lukas Thomas and Jaco de Greef (coach)

Team officials: Elizabeth Petersen (chef de mission), Solly Duiker (team manager), Donata Gawanas (team medic), Agnes Tjongarero and Gerson Uiseb.