Paralympians set sight on glory
Athletics
The country's Paralympians are in their final preparations for the Paris Games.
Secretary-general of the Namibia Paralympics Committee Michael Hamukwaya, also a national coach, says the team which will compete at the France 2024 Paralympics Games are hard at work preparing for the competition.
The Games will start on 28 August, just after the Olympic Games conclude.
Namibia will be sending a team of four confirmed competitors who will attempt to get medals.
Ananias Shikongo, Chris Kinda, Lahja Ishitile and Johannes Nambala are the athletes that have been confirmed.
Sport Wrap however understands there is a fifth athlete whose inclusion has yet to be confirmed.
As things stand, some of the athletes are already in Europe preparing for the competition.
“Yes, I can confirm that the athletes are hard at work as they prepare for the big competition.
“As always, our team works hard and that is why we have been able to get medals in the past few years.
“We hope and continue to believe that the team will carry the flag high and we just request for Namibians to continue with their support,” Hamukwaya said.
Namibia first competed at the Paralympics in 1992 at the Barcelona Games.
In 2008 in Beijing, men’s discus thrower Reginald Benade took the bronze which was the country’s first-ever medal in the history of the Paralympic Games.
The country won its first gold and silver medal at the 2012 Paralympics through Johanna Benson, a sprinter with cerebral palsy.
Ananias Shikongo went on to win a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics after winning the 200m T11 race for visually impaired men.
Shikongo also scooped bronze medals in the 100 and 400 m T11 races of the competition.
His compatriot Johannes Nambala also won two silver medals in the men’s T13 400 m and 100 m races.
“If you look at the history, you can tell that these athletes have really worked hard and you can never rule them out of a potential medal.
“That is why we appreciate those who have kept supporting our Paralympian athletes and we hope that more support can come through to make sure that the athletes are well equipped before the games,” Hamukwaya added.
The Games will start on 28 August, just after the Olympic Games conclude.
Namibia will be sending a team of four confirmed competitors who will attempt to get medals.
Ananias Shikongo, Chris Kinda, Lahja Ishitile and Johannes Nambala are the athletes that have been confirmed.
Sport Wrap however understands there is a fifth athlete whose inclusion has yet to be confirmed.
As things stand, some of the athletes are already in Europe preparing for the competition.
“Yes, I can confirm that the athletes are hard at work as they prepare for the big competition.
“As always, our team works hard and that is why we have been able to get medals in the past few years.
“We hope and continue to believe that the team will carry the flag high and we just request for Namibians to continue with their support,” Hamukwaya said.
Namibia first competed at the Paralympics in 1992 at the Barcelona Games.
In 2008 in Beijing, men’s discus thrower Reginald Benade took the bronze which was the country’s first-ever medal in the history of the Paralympic Games.
The country won its first gold and silver medal at the 2012 Paralympics through Johanna Benson, a sprinter with cerebral palsy.
Ananias Shikongo went on to win a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics after winning the 200m T11 race for visually impaired men.
Shikongo also scooped bronze medals in the 100 and 400 m T11 races of the competition.
His compatriot Johannes Nambala also won two silver medals in the men’s T13 400 m and 100 m races.
“If you look at the history, you can tell that these athletes have really worked hard and you can never rule them out of a potential medal.
“That is why we appreciate those who have kept supporting our Paralympian athletes and we hope that more support can come through to make sure that the athletes are well equipped before the games,” Hamukwaya added.
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