Inaugural inter-schools athletics this weekend

• By Michael Uugwanga

THE first edition of the newly formed Inter-Schools Athletics and Relays for school going U-17 boys and girls will take place this Saturday at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek.

This was confirmed by the president of Athletics Namibia, Erwin Naimwhaka who said that the event will mainly be focusing on the development of the relay event, which will enable the country to have a relay team at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in France.

The Inter-Schools Athletics and Relay event is a joint initiative between Athletics Namibia and the Namibia Schools Sport Union (NSSU).

The competition will see 13 regions taking part in the event except Kunene.

“It is the first time that we will be hosting this event which will be an annual event. The focus will be mainly on the relay because we want to develop relay teams at future international events such as the Olympic Games and the World Championships.

  We also want to develop athletics at schools. 

“We have received grants from World Athletics for this event. All 13 regions will be taking part in the event except for Kunene region because they did not hold their school regional championship, however we are hoping to see them next year,” said Naimwhaka.

NSSU national coordinator, Solly Duiker said the athletes will be taking part in the 4X100m relays and the mixed medley.

Duiker also said that only a few athletes who took part in the U/15 World School Sport Games in Belgrade will feature at the Inter-Schools Athletics and Relays event.

“These kids are 16 years. We want to revive athletics at school. Not all the kids that were in Belgrade will be at this event. Only four kids that were in Belgrade will be at the event,” said Duiker.