WINDHOEK, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's Athletes Commission is to host its inaugural Athletes Forum on August 4th in the capital Windhoek.
The one-day event will be run in partnership with Namibia's Ministry of Sport, and aims to educate elite and high performance athletes and also serve as a platform to gather relevant information on how they can improve in their quest for excellence.
One of the key focus areas of the Forum will be to highlight and educate athletes on anti-doping rules and regulations at international level, said the organizers in a statement on Thursday.
The commission's chairperson, Gaby Ahrens, said that the initiative is an important platform to address issues facing athletes and all other performance-related factors.
"It is not only aimed at providing information. Its aim is also to encourage athletes to become involved in their own development, while understanding their role and that of their coaches in preparation for future international competitions," added Ahrens.
Ahrens said that Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry, one of Africa's most successful Olympic athletes and current Chairperson of the Athletes Commission of the International Olympic Committee, will address attendees at the forum.
Notable Namibian athletes set to speak at the forum include former international footballer Collin Benjamin, 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medalists Helalia Johannes and Jonas Junius Jonas, and double Paralympic gold medalist Ananias Shikongo.
Meanwhile, Ahrens said athletes will also be enlightened on the importance of sports psychology, and will be introduced to career options available to retired athletes through sport management degrees offered by the country's universities.
