As stage two of Namibia's State of Emergency has been put in place, some sport codes received the go-ahead to get active again while strictly adhering to regulations. Most gyms are however still closed and that calls for new innovations and technology in keeping sportsmen and women fit. The Namibia Kickboxing Federation is one of the sport codes that took the challenge head-on by keeping their students fit through new ways of teaching. With technology declared more a friend than a foe, daily classes are broadcast live for students to interact with their instructor. The Kickboxing Federation is using the popular app Zoom to bring the classes to the living rooms of their students. Everyday a link is shared to all students, which enabled them to log in and be part of the exercise at their home or any place they see fit. Zoom is a web-based video conferencing tool with a local desktop client and a mobile app that allows users to meet online, with or without video, and a wireless screen-sharing performance. With the law of social distancing still applicable, the Kickboxing Federation uses this conferencing tool to their advantage. Sensei Lesly Hoaeb said it is important for students to be active in these times. “Because of lock down it’s difficult to train the kids, so we decided to make online classes so we can stay active and train and try our best because we cannot do anything but we are trying to help our students to stay in shape and active” Hoaeb said. One of the Walvisbay club students, Mia Kittler also uses this new way of gaining skills in her beloved sports code. "I’m doing Kickboxing so that I can learn self defence against bullies and also to keep fit. I’m enjoying it very much and he is a very good sensei” Kittler It remains unclear when exactly gyms and contact sport are getting back to normal, and thus athletes are urged to make use of the limited resources and keep themselves motivated and fit.
Published 4 years ago