Story by Staff Reporter
WINDHOEK – Archery in Namibia has consistently participated in the bi-annual African Archery Championships since 2006, with local archers winning several medals during these events.
During 2010 in Egypt, the Namibian Compound men’s team won a gold medal, while two silver and one bronze medals were taken by individual archers from Namibia.
This year, the 9th edition of the annual continental championship will be held in Rabat, Morocco, between 11 March and 16 March.
The Archery Association of Namibia (AAN), has identified a group of promising archers to represent Namibia at this august event. AAN has nominated two teams (one men compound, one women compound) and this will be the first time that a full women’s team from Namibia will participate at this level.
According to the ranking compiled by the AAN, based on the last 12 months’ 50-m scores achieved, the following archers are heading the ranking list to qualify for selection in the touring squad.
Women Compound:
Iroleen Page (weighted score 323.2),
Beanta Viviers (318) and
Beatrix van der Merwe (310.5)
Compound Men:
Francois Marais (342.25),
Louw Nel (334.85) and
Lesley Page (331.35)
In February this year, intensive preparations for the team took place in both Windhoek and Walvis Bay with special emphasis on team events, which involved some tight timing exercises while individual scores have also consistently improved during the said period to prepare the archers adequately.
The Namibian Sports Commission duly awarded national colours to the team that will be accompanied by national coach, Marja Woortman and team manager Frank Bockmühl.
The latter will also attend the annual congress of the FAA (Federation of African Archery), which coincides with the championships.
The team leaves Windhoek this Friday, 9 March en route to Rabat via Johannesburg and Paris and is expected back in Windhoek on Sunday 18 March. Results can be followed online (http://www.africanarchery.org/Federation_of_African_Archery/Championships).
Source : New Era
