By Duncan Mackay

Namibian National Olympic Committee President Agnes Tjongarero has been given a new Government role ©NNOCNamibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) President Agnes Tjongarero has been appointed as the country's new Deputy Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service.


Tjongarero, head of the NNOC since last year, was appointed by Namibian President Hage Geingob having served as a back bencher in the National Assembly. 

She warned that some of Namibia's National Federations needed to raise their game if they were to continue to receive Government funding. 

"We need to look at sport codes that are in the regions and not those who are run as a family business," she said.

"More money should be pumped into sport that we know are being enjoyed by the majority.

"Some sport codes are of no use seriously.

"I am not saying that we are going to get rid of them but they need to prove themselves.

"I am not alone in the Ministry but we are working as a team.

"We need lots of changes if we want to win more medals.

"Why do you think athletes are training very hard?

"The athletes needs to be financially assisted and they will only blame themselves if they fail."

er Junias Jonas won a Commonwealth Games silver at Glasgow 2014, one of three medals won by Namibian athletes ©Getty ImagesBoxer Junias Jonas won a Commonwealth Games silver at Glasgow 2014, one of three medals won by Namibian athletes ©Getty Images

Namibia made their debut in the Olympics at Barcelona 1992, where Frankie Fredericks won silver medals in the 100 and 200 metres, a feat he repeated at Atlanta four years later.

Since then Namibia have not won an Olympic medal.

At last year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Namibia won three medals, a silver and two bronze. 

"When I went to sign the oath at State House, President Geingob was pointing fingers to me saying that time for participating must come to an end," said Tjongarero. 

"We need to start competing."

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