People from all walks of life will get a chance to take part in the Queen’s Baton Relay when it reaches Namibia next week.
The relay, which is similar in nature to the Olympic torch, is always held prior to the Commonwealth Games and will travel through 70 countries.
With the Commonwealth Games due to start in Glasgow in July, the relay is now midway.
Its African leg started in Gambia, from where it made its way through Ghana, Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia, from where the baton will be brought to Namibia.
“The baton will arrive in the country on [Tuesday] January 28, after which the relay will be staged the following day,” Namibian National Olympic Committee (NNOC) president Agnes Tjongarero explained.
“The relay itself will go through Khomasdal, Katutura and town before ending at the Parliament building,” she added.
Although many people may believe that the relay is reserved for athletes, Tjongarero said any interested individual may take part in the event.
“Those that are interested, whether they want to run or walk, can provide the NNOC offices with their contact details so that they can be told where and when their section for carrying the baton will be,” she said.
Members of Parliament and athletes will also take part in the relay. A section of the relay will be done on horseback while other parts will be done by bicycle, Tjongarero further said.
The baton will arrive at Hosea Kutako International Airport on January 28 after which it will be taken to Windhoek with a police helicopter.
It will be accompanied by members of the Commonwealth Federation and a TV crew of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
WINDHOEK-HECTOR MAWONGA