Athletics go for special congress

WINDHOEK – Athletics Namibia (AN) could have new leaders when a Special Congress takes place in August.

A consultative meeting between the various stakeholders of Namibian athletics held in Otjiwarongo on Saturday, decided that a Special Congress was needed to get the codes’ house in order. No fixed date has yet been set for the important event.Chief administrator of the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) Rusten Mogane, who organised the meeting, told Nampa on enquiry Sunday that the meeting was a huge success and was attended by all regions affiliated to AN except the Khomas region.No excuse was given by Khomas, he said.Representatives from the Directorate of Sport, as well as special guests, politician Hosea Kaiyamo and former AN treasurer Theo Tjiueza were also present.Mogane said he was impressed by the maturity of all present and that ‘open talk’ was the order of the day.The meeting also decided amongst other issues to look at the AN constitution to bring it in line with the Namibian Sports Act, Mogane said.However, sources with AN said only three regions from the six affiliated to AN were present at the meeting.Caprivi, Oshana and North Central were in attendance while Khomas, Kavango and Erongo were absent.The sources also said that the Sports Act stipulates that a Special Congress should take place within 30 days from the date requested.The meeting in Otjiwarongo and the subsequent Special Congress was necessitated after the current leadership of AN under President Alpha Kangueehi came under fire from various sectors within athletics.Some concerned members have asked for the entire executive committee to be fired while others want only Kangueehi and former secretary-general Elizabeth Kamutuezu to resign.Sports Minister John Mutorwa also did not have any faith in the AN leadership when he fired them from leading the athletics and technical teams for Youth Games set to start in Windhoek on Monday.- NampaNo fixed date has yet been set for the important event.Chief administrator of the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) Rusten Mogane, who organised the meeting, told Nampa on enquiry Sunday that the meeting was a huge success and was attended by all regions affiliated to AN except the Khomas region.No excuse was given by Khomas, he said.Representatives from the Directorate of Sport, as well as special guests, politician Hosea Kaiyamo and former AN treasurer Theo Tjiueza were also present.Mogane said he was impressed by the maturity of all present and that ‘open talk’ was the order of the day.The meeting also decided amongst other issues to look at the AN constitution to bring it in line with the Namibian Sports Act, Mogane said.However, sources with AN said only three regions from the six affiliated to AN were present at the meeting.Caprivi, Oshana and North Central were in attendance while Khomas, Kavango and Erongo were absent.The sources also said that the Sports Act stipulates that a Special Congress should take place within 30 days from the date requested.The meeting in Otjiwarongo and the subsequent Special Congress was necessitated after the current leadership of AN under President Alpha Kangueehi came under fire from various sectors within athletics.Some concerned members have asked for the entire executive committee to be fired while others want only Kangueehi and former secretary-general Elizabeth Kamutuezu to resign.Sports Minister John Mutorwa also did not have any faith in the AN leadership when he fired them from leading the athletics and technical teams for Youth Games set to start in Windhoek on Monday.- Nampa