London — Minister of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture Kazenambo Kazenambo who accompanied Team Namibia to the London Olympics has described the performances of the athletes as inspiring and courageous.

Speaking from the Royal Artillery Barracks in London, Kazenambo urged Namibians to learn from the London Games, adding that Namibian athletes have finally reached a level where they can compete with renowned world athletes, which is a tremendous achievement.

"I know that we are here to compete and that our overall aim was to win medals, but the best way to encourage a person to achieve something in life, is not to beat a drum, saying 'win, win, win' the whole time. The best way is if we rather start building a psychology of winning and improving - only then can we start winning internationally," said Kazenambo.

"Someone like Gaby was competing against first-world countries like Britain, Japan and the USA, and we should celebrate the fact that the Land of the Brave is in the top league in the world."

"Putting immense pressure on our sportsmen and women will really be unfair as a policymaker and as a lawmaker - and considering a number of factors, I frankly think it will just be unfair," added Kazenambo.

"I'm here to render support and encouragement. I'm a parent of these kids. Although I would like my children to win, as a parent, I should sit and observe them and reflect on what are the things that are making the other children successful - this should be my focus."

"Watching Tjipe Herunga competing here was very emotional - my eyes were full of tears and I knew that the only reason Namibia was so fortunate to have an athlete in that event is due to her passion and determination.

"I'm a fighter by nature and I know what it takes to fight. It's not easy, people will accuse you of certain mistakes and so on, but those of us who know it ... to have that guts, to walk in that crowd and still she made it, that is praiseworthy," concluded Kazenambo.