African Gymnastics Olympic qualifiers
By Confidente Reporter
THE International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and the Union of African Gymnastics (UAG), has approved the hosting of the below detailed events by the Namibian Gymnastics Federation (NGF).
These games are scheduled to take place in Swakopmund in May 2021.
The FIG Council meeting will be hosted at the Strand Hotel from May 16 to 23.
The 15th African Championships and Olympic Games qualifying competition for trampoline and championships will be hosted at the Dome in Swakopmund, from May 17 May to 22.
Algeria, Angola, Benin, Egypt, Eswatini, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa and Tunisia will compete, while Zambia and Botswana will be in attendance as they plan to start their own gymnastics federations.
Delegates from more than 40 countries, from five continents will be attending the council meeting.
The FIG will first attend to the executive meetings lead followed by council meetings and the FIG technical meetings.
The FIG Council ratifies and approves all the work done by the executive and technical committees.
The technical meetings at the end of the week will be for all eight disciplines of gymnastics: Gym for All, Women’s Artistic, Men’s Artistic, Rhythmic, Aerobics, Acrobatic, Parkour Gymnastics and Trampoline, Synchro, DMT Trampoline and Tumbling.
FIG president Morinari Watanabe is expected to be in the country once again, having already visited the country on previous three occasions. He is also the one responsible for the special sponsorship agreement between FIG, UAG and Chinese gymnastics equipment manufacturer, TaiShan, for the supply and donation to the national gymnastics federation of equipment worth N$ 1,8million in 2018 and trampolines valued at N$ 560 000 in 2020.
NGF also received a complete new tumbling track and the height displacement time measurement device.
“These equipments meet FIG standards for Namibia to host the Senior Olympic Qualifying Championships for trampoline in May 2021in Swakopmund. Without this equipment, most African countries would not be able to qualify to host continental championships for the senior or junior Olympic qualifying competitions. Without this equipment the African Championships will not have been accredited as an FIG approved continental competition.
“NGF hereby extends its deepest humble gratitude to all the members of the FIG and UAG for their incredible support for these events in Namibia. NGF will also be hosting a VIP banquet for all the VIP delegates, all the ambassadors of the visiting countries, as well as sponsors,” said Valereis Geldenhuys-Venter, FIG council member.
Below is the full programme:
Sunday 16 May 2021 Arrival of Presidential Commission Members
Monday 17 May 2021 Meeting of the Presidential Commission /Arrival Executive
Tuesday 18 May 2021 Meeting of the Executive Committee
Wednesday 19 May 2021 Meeting of the Executive Committee / Arrival of Council Members
Thursday 20 May 2021 Meeting of the Council
Friday 21 May 2021 Meeting of the Council
Saturday 22 May 2021 Technical Meeting / Departure of the other participants
Sunday 23 May 2021 Departure of the remaining participants.
The 15th African Championships for Trampoline, Syncro-Trampoline, Double-Mini Trampoline and Tumbling – also Senior Olympic Qualification for Africa for Trampoline.
Championships will run parallel to the FIG Council.
Monday 17 May 2021 Arrival of delegations, Accreditation, Orientation meeting scheduled training for trampoline, UAG Judges meeting T&T and TC Workshop opening ceremony
Tuesday 18 May 2021 Judges Meeting Podium training for Trampoline
Normal Scheduled Training for DM & Tumbling UAG meetings.
Wednesday 19 May 2021 Signing of Autographs Competition 1 – Trampoline and Synchro Qualifying Normal Scheduled Training for DM & Tumbling VIP Banquet.
Thursday 20 May 2021 Competition 2 – Trampoline and Synchro Finals DM Trampoline and Tumbling judges meeting Normal Scheduled training for DM and Tumbling.
Friday 21 May 2021 Judging Courses for ART MAG, WAG, RG, AER and Parkour
Competition 3 – DM Trampoline & Tumbling Qualification and Finals Farewell function for T&T.
Saturday 22 May 2021 Departure of delegations.