Twenty-seven athletes are set to keep the hopes for Namibia at the Commonwealth games in Cold Coast, Australia from the 4th to 15th of April alive. Namibia will be represented at the Commonwealth Games in Australia in Athletics Marathon, Track and Field, Paralympics, Boxing, Bowling, Cycling, Gymnastics and Triathlon. Among the athletes - as announced by the NNOC Secretary General Joan Smit in an exclusive interview with the NBC - are Boxer Jonas Junius, Para-athlete Ananias Shikongo, Gymnast Robert Honiball and Cyclist Michelle Vorster. “I can assure you that the athletes worked extremely hard to qualifying for the games. The qualification criteria was really high”said Smit. Namibia collected three medals at the last games which came through a silver from Boxer Jonas Junius Jonas, and two Bronze medals from Para athletes Johanna Benson and Lahja Ishitile. Benson and Ishitile will however not be part of the team this time around as they did not qualify for the games. Smit is nonetheless happy with the other athletes' preparations this far. “Our athletes are all over the world in final pre-games preparation and i can tell you they are physically and mentally very well prepare for the games” she added. The team will be led by Advocate Jesse Schickerling, who was also the chef de mission to the Rio Olympic games , while Leonie Janse van Rensburg will travel as the team's administrator. Each code will have an accompanying coach and manager. The team will leave on the 25th of this month, while prior to their departure the NNOC is planning to host a send off for the team on the 17th where the public can meet and greet the athletes.