Africa-Press – Namibia. This year’s Olympic and Paralympic outcomes did not fully reflect the potential of Namibian athletes.
So says deputy minister of sport, youth, and national service Emma Kantema-Gaomas.
She has called for a holistic approach to ensure a stronger performance during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Speaking at the opening of the three-day Namibia Annual Sports Expo, which started at Swakopmund yesterday, Kantema-Gaomas stressed the need for proactive solutions.
“While we refrain from placing blame, it is imperative that we collectively formulate actionable solutions and commit to improving our performance on the global stage,” she said.
The expo was organised by the Namibia Sports Commission in partnership with the MTC Dome.
Kantema-Gaomas yesterday reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to fostering athlete development from grassroots to elite levels, emphasising the importance of unified efforts among sport officials and stakeholders.
“It is crucial that all sport officials, umbrella bodies, and affiliates work together, focusing on the collective goal of ensuring our athletes’ success, rather than allowing personal interests to divert attention from our shared objectives,” she said.
The expo is themed ‘Athlete Longevity: Creating Ecosystems to Thrive’.
Speakers from various disciplines, including sports science, entrepreneurship, and para-athletics, will explore innovative approaches to athlete development, with a particular focus on physical and mental resilience.
Kantema-Gaomas stressed the need to reassess and adapt outdated strategies.
“The world has transformed, and so must we. Let us capitalise on this opportunity to network, exchange knowledge, and ensure that our athletes receive the best possible support,” she said.
Namibia has secured two medals at the Paris Paralympics.
Lahja Ishitile won gold in the T11 400 metres, setting a new Paralympic record with a time of 56,20 seconds, marking her first Paralympic gold and making her only the third Namibian athlete to achieve such a feat.
Additionally, she claimed a bronze medal in the T11 200-metre event.
In contrast, the Namibian Olympic team, which included participants in athletics, cycling, and swimming, did not secure any medals in Paris.
Peet du Toit, an expert in neuroscience and sport from South Africa, emphasised that longevity in athletic performance is about sustainable health and the development of body, mind, and soul.
“This principle needs to be developed in Namibia and bear fruit at the next Olympics and beyond,” he said during his presentation on ‘Athlete Longevity through Neuroscience’.
Du Toit highlighted the critical role of brain health and mental toughness in extending athletes’ careers.
“We often overlook the brain’s influence on performance, focusing heavily on physical abilities,” he said.
“Yet the communication between the brain and body is fundamental for any athlete to thrive in competitive environments. Mental toughness, emotional control, and social support are essential.
“We need to integrate physical, mental, emotional, and social aspects into an athlete’s training to help them sustain high performance throughout their career.”
Du Toit emphasised the importance of neuroscience in identifying and addressing areas such as cognitive flexibility and brain fitness.
He introduced the concept of an agility index, a measure of how well an athlete’s brain and body communicates, which he believes is crucial for career longevity.
“Our brains are lazy organs. They resist change unless we enforce repetition,” Du Toit said.
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