NNOC targets 15 athletes for next Olympic
The Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) has outlined an ambitious plan to identify, develop and support athletes with Olympic potential, with the goal of sending at least 15 athletes to the next Olympic Games. In an interview with New Era Sport, NNOC chief executive officer Anri Parker said the committee has identified strategic national federations... The post NNOC targets 15 athletes for next Olympic appeared first on New Era .
The Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) has outlined an ambitious plan to identify, develop and support athletes with Olympic potential, with the goal of sending at least 15 athletes to the next Olympic Games.
In an interview with New Era Sport, NNOC chief executive officer Anri Parker said the committee has identified strategic national federations with athletes who have the potential to progress to the Olympic level.
Parker said the NNOC intends to heavily support and invest in these federations to ensure athletes with Olympic potential are developed through the ranks.
“This is a medium- to long-term plan, but we remain very optimistic and positive about it,” she said.
On funding, Parker said the NNOC currently receives support through Olympic Solidarity and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), while plans are underway to launch the NNOC Foundation.
The foundation will seek to bring on board national and international sponsors, with the aim of reducing the financial burden currently placed on government.
Parker said the committee also wants to expand its talent identification efforts by working closely with the Namibia Sports Commission and the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture to reach young athletes in remote parts of the country.
“We want to invite them to just come and do sport and enlighten them about the Olympic values and what the value of the Olympic rings could potentially be in terms of changing the life of a young athlete that comes out of a rural village,” Parker said.
Beyond competition, the NNOC is also focusing on athletes’ lives after sport through its Olympic 365 programme, which supports athletes in areas such as education, mental health and career development.
Parker said the committee also makes use of funding opportunities through Olympic Solidarity, with some retired athletes currently pursuing further studies.
“Helalia Johannes will be going back to Germany soon to finish her degree there, and Romeo Goliath will be graduating as a fully qualified attorney by the end of this year. So, there are many programmes that happen behind the scenes to empower our athletes,” she said.
The NNOC also launched the Athlete Mind programme in January, an initiative designed to support athletes before and after major competitions.
“In January, we launched the Athlete Mind programme, which is intentionally focusing on assisting athletes pre- and post-games to make sure that they have the tools to cope with challenging situations,” Parker said.
Looking ahead to the next Olympic cycle, Parker said the NNOC hopes to see at least 15 Namibian athletes qualify and represent the country, preferably securing their qualification well ahead of the Games.
– hnalupe@nepc.com.na
