Namibia held the 31st annual Quinton-Steele Botes (QSB) Coaching and Training Clinic here this week in the capital city to develop young talent and foster a passion for athletics.
The clinic, held Jan. 3 to 6, was initiated in 1993 by Quinton-Steele Botes, a prominent Namibian athletics administrator who passed away in 2014.
The training focused on techniques of athletics codes such as throws, sprints, hurdles, and high and long jump, facilitated by coaches from Namibia, South Africa, and the Netherlands.
Leoni van Rensburg, the organizer of the clinic, said that the training aims to provide professional athletics training to young Namibians, address the limited access to such opportunities in the country, and use sports for community empowerment.
“The clinic continues to honor his legacy and commitment to keeping athletics alive in Namibia while providing opportunities for the less fortunate,” van Rensburg said on Saturday.
This year, the clinic attracted about 200 participants, clustered into groups of kids’ athletics programs and intermediate and senior youth programs.
The clinic also included a specialized session for aspiring beginner coaches, helping them transition from amateur to professional athletics coaching, providing mentorship, and a networking platform.
Charley Strohmenger, a renowned long jump coach from South Africa, highlighted the clinic’s positive impact, providing mentorship and serving as a networking platform.
“I have been involved in this QSB clinic for over 21 years and have observed tremendous results from players who have gone on to prosper in athletics and players who have since become licensed coaches,” Strohmenger noted.
For Henk Botha, one of the local athletics coaches, the clinic is a crucial platform to assess the competency and quality level of athletes in Namibia. It also helps identify potential participants for regional and international championships, such as the Youth Olympic Games 2026.
“This can be attained through collaboration, teamwork, and sharing best practices to groom such skills. Most importantly, to identify weak areas in the rules, help address the skills deficit, and build,” Botha emphasized.
