Paralympians reap rewards

The NamPower Foundation has committed to sponsoring Disability Sport Namibia (DSN) and its affiliates, the Namibian National Paralympic Deaf Sports Federation and Special Olympics Namibia for their 2024-2025 activities.The total sponsorship amounts to N$1.5 million. Disability Sports Namibia received N$250 000, the Namibian National Paralympic Committee N$670 960, the Deaf Sports Federation N$227 040 and the Special Olympics N$352 000.NamPower also set apart approximately N$1.2 million to reward the athletes, guides and coaches following their remarkable performance during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Visually impaired sprinter Lahja Ishitile, the 2024 Summer Paralympics gold and bronze medallist, and her guide Sem Shimanda, received N$700 000 each, to be paid out in instalments and tax-free over the next two years. The 27-year-old Ishitile (T11 class) won bronze in the 200 and gold in the 400 in Paris in August.The non-medal-winning athletes – Johannes Nambala, Ananias Shikongo, Chris Kinda and Petrus Karuli – and their guides Even Tjiuju, Sidney Kamuaruuma (guide), Onesmus Nekundi and Kelvin Gaogoseb received N$410 000 in total to be distributed amongst all in equal instalments and tax-free over two years. “This reward means a lot to me. Most Paralympic athletes are unemployed. I will use this money to pay my rent, electricity and water. I will also use it to train for the 2028 Summer Paralympics in Los Angeles. It will be my final year of competing,” said veteran sprinter Ananias Shikongo, who won gold in the 200 T11 race at Rio 2016.Shikongo encouraged all athletes to train hard and to ensure that a big team represents the Land of the Brave at the next editions of the Paralympics and Olympics. Coaches Michael Hamukwaya, T'Neil Young and Letuha Mola each receive a once-off N$60 000. Young said the backing and recognition from corporate Namibia will go a long way. “I know it will make a huge difference in the everyday lives of our athletes. Our entire team already started preparing three weeks ago. We are working towards the new season opening at the end of March 2025 and leading up to the World Para Athletics Championships. We are looking forward to it.” Peace of mindKahenge Haulofu, the managing director of NamPower, emphasised that support for athletes does not only mean those winning a medal. “It is about reassuring a smile that restores hope in the lives of people living with a disability. We also do so knowing very well that funding for sports for people living with a disability is very scarce. “We at NamPower are proud to be that hope in your lives. You never disappoint us, despite the difficult circumstances you operate in.” Haulofu added that the rewards will give the athletes some peace of mind, knowing that over the next two years, they will have a fixed monthly income to assist them with their day-to-day needs and help them focus on their talents. “It is essential for an athlete of this stature to be able to function normally and not to be concerned about essentials. We are extending this gesture to all athletes, guides and coaches in order for the whole value chain to function in unison and excellence and continue to make Namibia proud,” he said.Haulofu urged fellow corporates to continue to support sports. “Consistent support has a positive impact on the performance and well-being of athletes. Corporate Namibia should step up and establish more sponsorship programmes to reward athletes with prize monies as our total collective prize monies will mean a lot for our sports people, allowing them to fulfil their professional careers through their respective talents.”During the 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, Team Namibia also won two medals, a silver and a bronze, brought home by Ananias Shikongo and Johannes Nambala.

Paralympians reap rewards

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-22

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Paralympians reap rewards

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-22

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