Izuchukwu OkosiBecomes Second Namibian After Frankie Federicks
Namibia’s Christine Mboma has been awarded the BBC African Sports Personality of the Year prize becoming the second Namibian after Frankie Federicks to win a BBC award.
The 200m silver medallist achieved the feat beating other African sporting stars which includes Eliud Kipchoge – Athletics (Kenya), Faith Kipyegon – Athletics (Kenya), Ntando Mahlangu – Para athletics (South Africa), Édouard Mendy – Football (Senegal) and Tatjana Schoenmaker – Swimming (South Africa).
Christine Mboma in her response said: “I feel great and I’m really proud to be a Namibian, and I thank all the Namibians who voted for me. I did not expect to win.
“The award is a reward for all the hard work and all the achievements that I have done. I didn’t expect 2021 would be like this after what happened but I am really proud of myself for all the achievements I have done. It was very difficult.
“It is always great to put my country on the top spot, I always make my country proud and it feels great to win the award. My achievement will motivate young athletes from Africa, and here in Namibia, to try do their best and to work hard for their dreams. I dedicate this BBC award to al Namibians.”
Christine became the first Namibian woman to ever stand on an Olympic podium after winning silver in the 200m at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games – finishing behind five-time Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica.
Christine’s coach Henk Botha says: “Awards like these means a lot to all athletes. It was a very strong field, all the contestants are superstars of African sport, so for me as a coach of the athlete it is a great privilege and honour to be part of any award from the BBC. It is just out of this world for a little place like Namibia and a young girl that not more than three years ago, ran barefoot in the sand. She got such an excellent award so obviously this is unbelievable.”
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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