NNN to cheer Team Namibia on in Glasgow

Multi-sport
Namibia has competed at every edition and won medals at each since making its debut at Victoria 1994 in Canada.
Mariud Ngula
  • 22 Hours Ago

Commonwealth Games-bound Team Namibia has gained a number one cheerleader in President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who yesterday pledged her full support for the delegation as she saw them off at State House in Windhoek.

During the send-off ceremony, Nandi-Ndaitwah handed over the Namibian flag to Team Namibia’s chef de mission Joseph Amakali as the delegation prepares to depart for Glasgow, Scotland, next week.

Namibia will make its ninth consecutive Commonwealth Games appearance at Glasgow 2026, which runs from 23 July to 2 August.

The country will field 23 athletes across six sports: athletics, Para athletics, bowls, swimming, boxing and artistic gymnastics. Among them is Birmingham 2022 bronze medallist Ananias Shikongo.

The Para sprinter, guided by Even Tjiviju, won bronze in the men’s T11/12 100m at Birmingham 2022 in England.

Team Namibia will return to the city where the country won three medals at Glasgow 2014 through boxer Jonas Junias Jonas and Para athletes Johanna Benson and Lahja Ishitile, who was assisted by guide David Ndeilenga.


‘Take care of my town’

At the flag handover, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the team’s commitment to excellence would not only help ensure that the national flag flies high at the Games, but also advance sport development in the country.

She said she would be Team Namibia’s number one cheerleader, adding: “I will be supporting and following your journey throughout the competition.”

“The Namibian nation celebrates your achievement and stands behind you with anticipation, not only in pursuit of victory, but also in the hope that you will continue to carry our national flag with pride, honour and distinction,” she noted.

Nandi-Ndaitwah also light-heartedly asked the delegation to take care of Glasgow, where she obtained a postgraduate diploma in public administration and management from the Glasgow College of Technology.

“You’re going to my town. I studied in Glasgow. Please take care of my town,” she said.

“You’ve [achieved this] on behalf of us all. I can see the excitement displayed on your faces. I see you’re prepared and ready. The countless hours of training, sacrifice and determination have earned you the honour of representing your motherland.”


Support appreciated

Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) president Dr Ndeulipula Hamutumwa thanked Nandi-Ndaitwah for personally handing over the national flag to Team Namibia and entrusting the delegation with it.

“Your support enables our athletes to pursue excellence and proudly represent our country on the international stage,” he said.

“On behalf of all the men and women who play sport within the Olympic movement and the Namibian sport fraternity, we bestow you with the official jacket that symbolises our appreciation for the work that you do for sport.”

Nandi-Ndaitwah was also presented with a full set of Team Namibia’s Glasgow 2026 attire.

Chef de mission Amakali assured Nandi-Ndaitwah that the delegation had been preparing diligently for the Games.

“Our focus extends beyond athletic performance. We have emphasised discipline, professionalism, unity and respect for the rules and values of the Games,” he remarked.

“We expect every member of Team Namibia to conduct themselves with integrity, uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship and serve as exemplary ambassadors,” he said.

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