USAID donates to Kutwano
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recently handed over sport equipment worth N$250 000 to the Kutwano Organisation of Sports for People with Disabilities in the Zambezi Region.
Kutwano, which means 'working together' in Silozi, has 128 active members who are trained and mentored in different sports disciplines.
The donation consisted of sport uniforms, track-and-field equipment, stopwatches, and special wheelchairs.
The organisation aims to better the lives of people with disabilities by creating an environment where they can share knowledge and see sport as a means to improve their standard of living.
“My hope is that one of my athletes would follow in the footsteps of Ananias Shikongo and Johanna Benson,” said the chairperson of Kutwano, Manga Mataa.
The organisation has trained athletes who took part in the 2016 Nedbank Paralympic Games in South Africa.
Kennedy Tiyeho won gold and bronze medals in shot-put and javelin, while Misika Zibiso took part in the 100m and 200m races where he won gold and silver medals.
Zibiso heard about Kutwano from a friend who found out through the Youth Council in Zambezi Region. He registered in 2013 and took part in a regional competition held in Oshikoto in 2014.
The Kutwano team returned with 14 medals consisting of ten gold, two silvers and two bronze medals.
“I do sports because I like it. I know Johanna Benson and Ananias Shikongo. I want to be just like them one day,” he said.
The American ambassador to Namibia, Thomas Daughton, said: “People with disabilities want to and can participate in every aspect of daily life, be it professionally, academically, or in sports. Inclusion is every person's right, and as you know well, disability does not mean inability.
“I am proud to see that our support of sports equipment through USAID not only benefits Kutwano as an entity but all people with disabilities in the Zambezi Region, reaching out to people even in remote areas through awareness, training, and sports competitions.”
SPORT REPORTER
Kutwano, which means 'working together' in Silozi, has 128 active members who are trained and mentored in different sports disciplines.
The donation consisted of sport uniforms, track-and-field equipment, stopwatches, and special wheelchairs.
The organisation aims to better the lives of people with disabilities by creating an environment where they can share knowledge and see sport as a means to improve their standard of living.
“My hope is that one of my athletes would follow in the footsteps of Ananias Shikongo and Johanna Benson,” said the chairperson of Kutwano, Manga Mataa.
The organisation has trained athletes who took part in the 2016 Nedbank Paralympic Games in South Africa.
Kennedy Tiyeho won gold and bronze medals in shot-put and javelin, while Misika Zibiso took part in the 100m and 200m races where he won gold and silver medals.
Zibiso heard about Kutwano from a friend who found out through the Youth Council in Zambezi Region. He registered in 2013 and took part in a regional competition held in Oshikoto in 2014.
The Kutwano team returned with 14 medals consisting of ten gold, two silvers and two bronze medals.
“I do sports because I like it. I know Johanna Benson and Ananias Shikongo. I want to be just like them one day,” he said.
The American ambassador to Namibia, Thomas Daughton, said: “People with disabilities want to and can participate in every aspect of daily life, be it professionally, academically, or in sports. Inclusion is every person's right, and as you know well, disability does not mean inability.
“I am proud to see that our support of sports equipment through USAID not only benefits Kutwano as an entity but all people with disabilities in the Zambezi Region, reaching out to people even in remote areas through awareness, training, and sports competitions.”
SPORT REPORTER
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