WINDHOEK-The Namibia Athletes Commission hosted a one-day athletes' forum at the University of Science and Technology in Windhoek on Saturday. Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Sports, Youth National Service Erastus Uutoni said it is important for Namibia to host events like this where discussions can take place about challenges that athletes face. “I'm very glad that the Ministry partnered with Athletes Commission in creating the first ever Athletes Forum that will identify and looked at problems facing our athletes and how best we can help each other in rectifying and look for amicable solutions. While we are under harsh economic conditions, we need to remain positive and keep hoping and work hard if we want to achieve, I'm very proud as a Minister of Sport for the success of our athletes on international platforms, I want to introduce physical sport in all primary schools so that athletes can be nurtured from young age” Uutoni said. The event that was hosted for the first time in Namibia served as a platform to address pertinent issues facing athletes and all other performance related factors said Chairperson of the Athletes Commission, Gaby Ahrens, who also thanked NUST for introducing their Bachelor of Sport Management programme. “This initiative is not only aimed at providing information, but encourage athletes to become involved in their development, while understanding their role and the role of their coaches , in preparing for future international competitions with the assistance of well- known international speakers representing multiple areas of expertise in sport” said Ahrens One of Africa's most successful Olympic athletes, Zimbabwean swimmer and now Chairperson of the Athletes Commission of the International Olympic Committee, Kirsty Coventry, and former international football player, Namibia's Collin Benjamin, shared their personal journeys to sporting success. 2018 Commonwealth Games Gold medallist Helalia Johannes additionally formed part of an elite panel of athletes in a question and answer session that concluded the day's event