Corry Ihuhua
19 November 2008
INCUMBENT Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) president Agnes Tjongarero is set to face one of her toughest challenges when the position she has occupied for over a decade will be up for grabs on November 28.
Tjongarero will be challenged for the presidency of the umbrella body by Namibia Boxing and Wrestling Control Board chairman Kelly Nghixulifwa, who doubles as the president of the Namibia Boxing Federation (NBF).
Current secretary general Abner Xoagub will also be put to test as his position is to be contested by another hot favourite in Kallie Schaefer, who has made a comeback to domestic sports after an absence of close to four years now.
Both Nghixulifwa and Schaefer were nominated by the various sports federations and associations who are members to the NNOC and are strongly supported to take over the hot seats at the Tacoma Street head office in Suiderhof.
Sources indicated to The Namibian Sport that the current executive members are all available for re-election, with the exception of treasurer Leon Hemmes.
Tjongarero, who has been at the helm of the body for almost 15 years now, will go up against Nghixulifwa in what could be a dramatic showdown as both have tried to amass support from the respective codes.
But insiders believe that Tjongarero will be on her way out as she has failed to open doors for many aspiring athletes to excel on the international scene, despite her many contacts and influence in the trade of athletics.
It is believed that Nghixulifwa, a former chief executive officer of the Roads Contractor Company (RCC) and also an ex-member of the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC), will be the perfect choice for the position.
Nghixulifwa has excelled in running the sport of boxing with various Namibian boxers producing the desired results on the international stage.
Also many boxers have turned professional and are on the verge on landing themselves world titles such as Paulus Moses, who is set to fight for a World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight world title in Japan on the same weekend of the elections.
Schaefer is a seasoned sports administrator and also served on the NSC as a commissioner.
He is currently in the medical aid industry and was regarded as the obvious choice for the position by the federations because of his prudent financial background and good administrative skills in general.
Schaefer is making a comeback to the sport scene after almost four years of absence and is favoured by the federations to take charge from Xoagub.
Current vice president, Johan Knoetze has also expressed his willingness to stand, but he is likely to be replaced.
The current executive members who are available for re-election include Quinton-Steele Botes, Elize Pietersen, Aily Hangula-Paulino, Monica Dahl, Joan Smit, Frank Fredericks and Ndeulipula Hamutumwa.
The Namibian Sport could not get hold of Goaxub to confirm any further nominations, as he was out of the country.
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