Fredericks vies for Athletics Namibia presidency

New officers to run the affairs of Athletics Namibia (AN) are to emerge today at the Special Elective Congress to be held in Otjiwarongo, Namibia.

This development will bring to a close the impasse that had lingered on since the earlier disputed elections on November 28, 2008 which ended in a stalemate when the incumbent, Alpha Kangueehi and Frank Fredericks both garnered four votes.

Due to the failure to resolve the issues, an Interim Committee made-up of Dr Donovan Zealand, Abner Xoagub and Agnes Samaria was appointed in January 2009 to run the affairs of AN until a new president is elected at a congress scheduled for February 28, 2009.

But, consequent on the visit of IAAF representative and secretary general of the World Athletics Foundation, Cheikh Thiare, in May and subsequent meetings with various stakeholders within athletics, the congress held on February 28 was declared null and void.

Top of the list of nominees for the position of AN President, made public by the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC), is Namibia's first Olympic medalist Frankie Fredericks. Fredericks will battle it out with administrator Alpha Kangueehi, who was elected president at the February 28 election.

Contestants for the position of Vice-President are: Job Handura, George Matheus, Alna Similo, Foibe Neliwa and Modestus Mwiila.

Nominees for the position of Secretary-General are Charles Gordon and Frank Slabbert. The special elective congress will also elect various chairpersons on the different AN committees.

The chairperson of the AN ad-hoc committee, Donovan Zealand, said the long-awaited event will start at 09h00 and will be concluded in a few hours, as there are no other items on the agenda.

Full list of Athletics Namibia Board Nominees

President:

Frankie Fredericks, Alpha Kangueehi

Vice presidents:
Job Handura, George Matheus, Alna Similo, Foibe Neliwa, Modestus Mwila.

Secretary General:
Charles Gordon, Frank Slabbert.

Officials:
Bethold Karumendu, Anderson Hukununa.

Coaching:
Anderson Hukununa.

Technical:
Cosmos Lyakuwa, Regan Nikiti.

Cross Country:
Adios Auchamub.

Road Running:
Frank Slabbert, Romanus Munika.

Juniors:
Dennis Skrywer, Dessi Endjala.

Veterans:
Luketz Swartbooi, Erastus Sinyemba.

Financial:
Justus Hausiku, Immanuel Kazepuruka.

Track and Field:
Quinton Steele Botes, Adios Auchamub.

Organizing:
Reagan Nikiti.

Selection:
Erwin Naimhwaka.

Development:
Modestus Mwiila, Linus Domingo.

Women’s athletics:
Mara Kandjiriomuini, Gloria Abel.

Disciplinary:
Beata Muremi.

Medical and Doping:
Janine van Wyk, Phellem Katangu.