Africa-Press – Namibia. INJURY has ruled out star attractions Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi from the upcoming African Senior Athletics Championships in Mauritius.
The 19-year-olds’ coach Henk Botha said the sprinting sensations, who recently experienced mid-race injury misfortune on the international scene, would not be in competitive physical condition by the time the championships get underway on 8 June.
Their recuperation is promising but Botha is wary of rushing the nation’s prized assets back into action with a stacked schedule this year. The speedsters have missed out on the opening Diamond League season races.
The priority remains to compete at the World Athletics Championships (15-24 July) and Commonwealth Games (28 July-8 August).
Athletics Namibia is yet to announce the team for the Confederation of African Athletics’ premier competition, which will be held for the first time since the 2018 edition after postponements and cancellations caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Christine is doing well. She’ll definitely be out for the African championships. Unfortunately, Beatrice has a nerve problem in her back that’s giving her pain. There will not be enough time to recover for the African champs, so Beatrice will also be out.
Masilingi limped off midway through the women’s 100m at the Gaborone International Meet in Botswana on 30 April with a hamstring problem.
A week later, Mboma tore an upper thigh muscle during the 100m at the Kip Keino Classic continental tour meeting in Kenya, pulling up in anguish and collapsing on the track.
Their absence at the continental competition will be greatly felt, given their success-laden 2021.
Tokyo Olympic 200m silver medallist Mboma is especially a big draw card. She is currently Africa’s highest-rated sprinter after an impressive 2021 season, which saw her claim the Diamond League trophy and the junior world title over 200m.
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