The 27th Quinton-Steele Botes Marathon Sugar Athletics coaching and training camp was launched in Windhoek on Wednesday, with several sponsors coming on board to support the cause. The Quinton-Steele Botes Athletics coaching and training camp is an initiative which was started by the late athletics consultant Quinton-Steele Botes. After Botes'death, Leoni van Rensburg took over the responsibility to further develop athletics. Initially, the training started with 25 teachers and coaches, who were trained by Botes himself, as well as experts from South Africa and Germany. As for the upcoming training sessions, Van Rensburg urged all parents, teachers and coaches to attend. ”Let the teachers and parents come with for the four days and stand with their coaches and go back to their towns and schools and then they can help their athletes as well as the other athletes that's why we have new coaches helping” van Rensburg said. Since its inception, Marathon sugar has been involved in the development and the growth of athletics, Marketing Officer of Marathon Sugar Genevieve Fisch said their core objective as part of their corporate social responsibility is to uplift the Namibian youth, specifically the less fortunate through sport and specifically athletics. “It's exciting to see many sponsors came on board to assists the athletes, to attend this training Quinton-Steele Botes Marathon Sugar Athletics coaching and training camp. Our wish is, for athletics to grow in Namibia and to be there for the young athletes in Namibia. We also want to encourage other corporates to get involve and get on board on making athletics grow and keeping it core in Namibia for the development of the children” Fisch said. NNOC's secretary general Joan Smit thanked all the sponsors for looking out for the future of athletics “It's a brilliant way to start the year and to start the athletics season. What is really amazing with the contributions of this sponsors is that, athletes who are financially not in a position to pay can come and attend this event. Thank you to all the sponsors” Smit said. Close to twenty coaches will share their skills with the youngsters over four days. Amongst the local coaches who will share their skills are Lucky Gawanab, Henk Botha ,Roger Haitengi who is currently based in South Africa. Individuals of all ages - from 6 up to senior athletes are welcome to register next year on the 7th of January.