Former sprint legend Frank Fredericks says it pains him to watch the infighting in the athletics family, which almost brought the development of this sport to a halt.

Fredericks has been nominated by the Oshana Athletics Region to stand as Athletics Namibia (AN) president against incumbent Alpha Kangueehi, who is standing for re-election.

The AN elective congress is scheduled for Katima Mulilo on November 22.

In a statement yesterday, Fredericks said the lack of development of the sport code denies many promising athletes the chance to successfully develop their careers.

He said sponsors are not willing to come on board, and invitations from other countries are also drying up.

"We can barely attract hundred people to an athletics meeting these days.

My peers at home and abroad, fellow Namibians, and those involved in sport have been urging me to play my part in athletics in Namibia.

I can no longer resist these calls.

I have, therefore, decided to stand for the AN presidency," said Fredericks.

"My international prestige gives me no right to claim the presidency of AN.

My motivation to contest the position is neither a denial of what others have achieved in athletics.

As much as the likes of Hannes von Holtz, Adios Aochamub, Buddy Wentworth and Louis Muller and their colleagues worked hard alongside the Namibian government to ensure my first-ever international participation in Barcelona, so has Alpha Kangueehi contributed to take the sport to those who were previously disadvantaged and has broadened its support base, despite considerable challenges," he noted.

Fredericks said his mission is to forge unity, build on the efforts of those before him to improve the level of competition, and to encourage active participation in athletics at competitive and recreational level from all sectors of the Namibian society.

Nampa