Namibian sprinter Christine Mboma has faced significant challenges in securing international races, according to her coach, Henk Botha.
Despite winning a silver medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and being cleared to compete in the 100m and 200m events, Mboma has not been as active on the global stage as fans and critics expected.
The primary reason behind this? A lack of professional representation, which has made it difficult for her to participate in major competitions.
Botha, who has been integral to Mboma’s development, took on multiple roles within her career, acting as her coach, manager, agent, and marketer.
However, the increasing demands of managing these responsibilities, particularly arranging her participation in top-tier races, became overwhelming.
Without the network of contacts and expertise that sports agents have, Botha found it hard to secure international opportunities for his star athlete.
«It’s incredibly difficult for an athlete to run without an agent,» Botha explained as per
«An agent is compulsory to get into big races. I don’t have all the information and contacts that agents have, and that’s been a major obstacle in Christine’s career over the past year.»
Botha emphasized the importance of finding the right professional support for Mboma’s career to reach new heights.
«After long discussions and evaluating different options, Christine decided to sign with CLD Sports Global,» he said.
«I had an interview with these guys, and it looks good. Hopefully, we can have a nice and long road together.»
CLD Sports Global, a growing American sports agency founded by former athlete Chris Davis, has a reputation for guiding athletes to high-level competition.
The agency provides a wide range of services, including sports management, marketing, branding, and digital marketing—resources that Botha believes will be crucial for Mboma moving forward.
In joining CLD, Mboma also reunites with fellow Namibian sprinter Beatrice Masilingi, who signed with the agency last year.
The decision to sign with CLD Sports Global is a significant step toward ensuring Mboma’s future success in the international athletics scene.
“We believe Christine will be ready for the next season,” Botha said. “If there are no injuries, we will have enough time for her to prepare for next year’s World Championships, which will take place in Japan during September.»
However, the challenges Mboma has faced have not been limited to representation.
The sprinter has had to navigate the complex and evolving regulations concerning testosterone levels in female athletes, particularly those with Differences in Sex Development (DSD).
Mboma was temporarily suspended by World Athletics (WA) in March 2023, further complicating her efforts to compete internationally. She was cleared to return in November 2023, allowing her to resume her career in the 100m and 200m events.
The move also reunites Mboma with fellow Namibian sprinter Beatrice Masilingi, who signed with CLD Sports Global in 2022.
Masilingi had previously been represented by the Newton Agency in South Africa but has since returned to Botha’s camp after the switch.
The reunion of the two Namibian stars under the same agency signals a promising future for their athletic careers.