Athletics Namibia looks ahead
Athletes will only be expected to return to the track at the end of stage two of the national coronavirus state of emergency.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
WINDHOEK
Athletics Namibia (AN) has begun plans to restart the athletics season after the Namibia Sports Commission announced that non-contact sports can resume training. The athletic body does however not expect championships and other athletic events to resume soon.
Many athletes who compete during the season are pupils and students who are currently not attending school due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It also remains impossible for the body to stage events given the ban on large gatherings.
Decision pending
AN spokesperson Edward Kapewasha said the federation will have to meet several times before a decision can be made.
“It is difficult to predict when we can have the season going because there are still some measures under stage two of the lockdown.
“This means that we will first have to meet before we enter in stage three of the lockdown, which will possibly see some of the restrictions lifted.
“As a federation, we are going to meet towards the end of May to announce a clearer picture on some of the decisions and plans we have undertaken,” Kapewasha said.
The athletic season usually entails regional and national championships as well as school competitions.
Events on halt
Many events began at the start of the year but did not come to a conclusion following the coronavirus outbreak.
As things stand, Namibia has only five representatives who have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, which have been postponed to next year.
However, the country does not have a track and field athlete who has qualified for the global showpiece.
Namibia's track and field hopeful Beatrice Masilingi has been tipped as one of the country's next qualifications.
However, the sprinter's dreams of reaching the Olympics hang in the balance due to the global pandemic.
WINDHOEK
Athletics Namibia (AN) has begun plans to restart the athletics season after the Namibia Sports Commission announced that non-contact sports can resume training. The athletic body does however not expect championships and other athletic events to resume soon.
Many athletes who compete during the season are pupils and students who are currently not attending school due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It also remains impossible for the body to stage events given the ban on large gatherings.
Decision pending
AN spokesperson Edward Kapewasha said the federation will have to meet several times before a decision can be made.
“It is difficult to predict when we can have the season going because there are still some measures under stage two of the lockdown.
“This means that we will first have to meet before we enter in stage three of the lockdown, which will possibly see some of the restrictions lifted.
“As a federation, we are going to meet towards the end of May to announce a clearer picture on some of the decisions and plans we have undertaken,” Kapewasha said.
The athletic season usually entails regional and national championships as well as school competitions.
Events on halt
Many events began at the start of the year but did not come to a conclusion following the coronavirus outbreak.
As things stand, Namibia has only five representatives who have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, which have been postponed to next year.
However, the country does not have a track and field athlete who has qualified for the global showpiece.
Namibia's track and field hopeful Beatrice Masilingi has been tipped as one of the country's next qualifications.
However, the sprinter's dreams of reaching the Olympics hang in the balance due to the global pandemic.
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