Namibians conduct Level 1 archery coaching course

Namibia national archery team coach Marja Woortman and technical director Rudiger Woortman are in the country to facilitate Level 1 international coaching course.

The two arrived in the country on Monday and are drilling 20 coaches at the Lilongwe Golf Club under the auspices of the World Archery.

Namibia has a rich history in archery having participated at the Commonwealth Games and European tournaments.

“From what I have observed, Malawi has good crop of coaches from the previous courses they had. We hope to improve their capabilities after this course, so they can grow the game across the country,” said Marja in an interview yesterday.

On his part, Rudiger said the sport can grow if there is enough archery equipment.

“There is need to find sponsorship for archery like it is with football, netball and rugby. The sport can only grow if athletes have equipment. There is need for more companies to invest in the sport,” he said.

Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC) president Oscar Kanjala, who opened the courses, said he hopes the coaches will impart in archers the knowledge gained.

“Archery is new to Malawi, but globally it has been there for years. As MOC, it is our duty to help associations establish structures through capacity building.

“We want to develop the skill so that athletes can compete favourably and for an association to achieve that, there is need to have good coaches hence this coaching course,” said Kanjala.

Archery Association of Malawi general secretary Henry Sakala said they wrote MOC a proposal for the Level 1 course.