Ohm, Mutumbulua shine at youth games

• By Michael Uugwanga in Maseru, Lesotho

YOUNG Namibian swimmers Oliver Ohm and Trisha Mutumbulua each won a bronze medal for the country  at the ongoing African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region Five in Maseru, Lesotho.

Ohm won his medal on Tuesday in the 200-metre freestyle with a time of 1:59.71 behind two South African swimmers, Bernard Wolfaard who took gold in a time of 1:51.66, while Ruard van Renen came in second place in a time of 1:53.31.

Mutumbulua who is highly rated in Namibia won her bronze medal on Monday in the 50-metre butterfly race.

First place went to Zimbabwe’s Donata Katai in a time of 28.

99 and second place went to South Africa’s Erin Hartzenberg in a time of 30.71.

Meanwhile, Team Namibia which comprises of Mutumbulua, Ohm, Brave Magongo and Nicole Reddecker won silver in the mixed relay.

The coach of the Namibian swimming team is the dedicated Eunice Nel who had been hard at work with the swimmers since arriving in Maseru last week.

Chief administrator of the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) Freddy Mwiya could not hide his excitement after saying that swimming has performed as was expected since it is one of the few codes that always deliver at regional and international events.

“We are very much proud as a country that swimming has performed as expected.

We know that it is a strong sport code in our country and we know that it had a good challenge from South Africa and Zimbabwe but we know ourselves that winning a bronze and silver against those countries is never easy.

As a result our young boys and girls have done us very proud, so we are so proud and this is a proud moment and a big encouragement to others,” said Mwiya.