Athletic Fraternity mourns the death of its’ vice president Johannes Shekutamba Mathew who died last week Thursday. Mathew, has been described as an unwavering sport soldier who was at the core of sports development in the Oshana region and beyond. Mathew, who died at age of 39 at the Oshakati Intermediate hospital after a short illness, started his journey as an athlete in 2002 during his school years at David Sheehama Secondary School. He later opened his own academy known as the Oshakati Athletics Club in 2008, where he trained aspiring athletes at grass roots level. The club later birthed top athletes such as Lavinia Haitope, Johannes Nambala and many other top athletes. Mathew was also nominated as coach of the year in 2010 at the Namibia Annual Sports Awards, but did not win the overall prize. He was considered to be a dedicated sportsman who was passionate about athletics and ensured that athletes were active throughout the year. Mathew's memorial service will be held to at his home village of Okatekete village where he will also be buried on Thursday. He is survived by his parents and four children.