Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The Namibian Private Schools Organisation (NAPSO) is organising a European athletics tour scheduled to take place in June for young Namibian athletes.
The touring team comprises 10 girls and 10 boys, most of whom are high school learners.
The team will depart from Windhoek to Tallinn, Estonia, on 14 June.
They will participate in their first competition from 17 to 18 June, followed by a second competition in Estonia from 19 to 20 June.
NAPSO Head of Athletics, Marnarie Gouws, said the team will then travel to Hanover, Germany, on 21 June for training before heading to Sweden for the main competition of the tour, which will take place from 26 to 29 June.
“On June 25th, we will travel to Sweden for the biggest competition of the tour, taking place from June 26th–29th. After the competition, we will travel back to Germany on June 30th and return to Namibia on the 1st of July,” she said.
Gouws added that the planning team is aware some athletes are also involved in cricket and Youth 5 events and confirmed the group will return four days before the Youth 5 tournament.
For those with scheduling clashes, alternative arrangements can be made.
“We can provide a document confirming that the athletes have been on tour, participated in competitions, and are prepared for Youth 5. If an athlete needs to complete their cricket commitments first, we can arrange for them to join us on a later flight,” she said.
Gouws appealed to the corporate sector to support the athletes financially.
Each athlete is expected to contribute N$60,000 to cover return airfare, local flights, accommodation, competition fees, entertainment, and meals.
Sibona Amumub, father of team member Sibona Amumub Junior, also called for support.
“Although they are from private schools, they will still be representing our country in Europe. Anything you can do to assist in making the trip possible—not only for my son, who still has to cover the remaining half of the cost, but for all the athletes—will be greatly appreciated. Who knows, some of them might be future Olympians of our beloved country,” he said.
