NamPower gives DSN massive boost

NamPower yesterday showed its commitment to supporting local sports by handing Disability Sport Namibia (DSN) a cheque to the amount of N$700 000.

This is a massive boost for DSN as it is preparing to send five athletes to the Paralympic Games which are due to start later this month.

NamPower’s Managing Director Paulus Shilamba highlighted that it is not the first time the company sponsored DSN who last year also received n$600 000 from the company.

Shilamba added that it is easy to give money to DSN because of its sound administration.

“I must admit that the sound fiscal discipline and reporting structures of Disability Sport Namibia was a factor in determining our continued support,” he said.

The DSN’s President, Charles Nyambe, expressed his thankfulness.

“This sponsorship is a milestone because there is a lot of expensive equipment that our athletes need in order to compete. In fact, competing is quite costly for our athletes compared to regular sports,” he said.

The sponsorship also greatly pleased Deputy Minister of Sport Pohamba Shifeta who acknowledged NamPower’s input.

“NamPower has been very supportive and it is now evident that this partnership is growing from strength to strength,” he said.

DSN, which has Paralympics Namibia and Special Olympics Namibia as affiliates, will use the money from to send athletes to the 2012 Paralympic Games in London as well as host a Special Olympics Unified FIFA World Cup qualifier in October.

Part of the money will also go towards hosting the Disability Sport Namibia National Awards Ceremony which will also take place later this year.

“DSN believes in human resource development and the awards serve that purpose as we have at least 3 000 athletes registered with us,” Nyambe explained.

The final word, though, came from Martin Aloysius, one of the athletes set to represent Namibia at the 2012 Paralympic Games.

“We really appreciate what NamPower has done both this year and last. It took me four years to qualify for the Paralympics and I’m proud to have achieved my dream. Now I can only vow to bring back a gold medal as a sign of my gratitude for the sponsorship,” he concluded.

Aloysius is set to run in the 200m and 400m while his teammates include fellow sprinters Ananias Shikongo and Johanna Benson as well as Reginald Benade and Ruben Soroseb, who will compete in the shot-put and weight lifting events respectively.