Project Paris will need financing - Hamukwaya
• Old Paralympic guards still have potential
Namibia Paralympics Committee secretary-general Michael Hamukwaya is confident Namibia can produce a world-class team before the Paris Paralympics.
Jesse Jackson KauraisaWindhoek
The Paris Paralympics are just two years away, and many of Namibia’s Paralympic-golden generation will be keen on giving it one last try before calling it a day.
Some of the athletes who are eyeing a place at the 2024 Games have competed in events dating as far back as 2012.
For coach Michael Hamukwaya and the Paralympics team, their task is to make sure that they have a strong team able to compete for medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
“We need the finances to make sure that Project 2024 is a success and that we can take the best prepared athletes to Paris.
“2024 is not that far away and that is why it is important to have the athletes competing in several events.
“We are optimistic that we can have a team that is talented enough and ready enough for Paris,” Hamukwaya said.
Ready, steady, win
Paralympics Namibia will be hoping that some of their old, trusted guards, including a new generation of stars, will be able to deliver and qualify for Paris. The organisation however faces an ageing group of stars but has also welcomed up-and-coming young competitors.
Paralympics gold medallist Ananias Shikongo will be 38 years old by the time the next Games takes place.
Shikongo’s friend and compatriot Johannes Nambala, who has also won several medals, will be 34 at the time the Paris competition takes place. London 2012 golden girl Johanna Benson, who has not lived up to her stunning performance a decade ago, will be 35 in 2024. Lahja Ishitile, who made her debut about nine years ago will be turning 27 in 2024.
Hamukwaya, is however optimistic that the veterans still have one last Game in them.
New and eager
The committee will be relying on the young and upcoming talent which include the likes of sprinter Bradley Murere.
Murere will be just 21 at the time of the Games and looks like a real deal to represent the country.
“Yes, these guys have come a long way but we are confident that they might still make it.
“We will however only be sure about this during the next few major competitions that will take place in the next few months and as well as next year.
“We also have young athletes that are coming that we need to build for 2024.
“Like I said, all that will cost money and it takes a huge investment to get the athletes ready by that time,” Hamukwaya said.
Hamukwaya added that they are eyeing several competitions, including next years All Africa Games, to test some of the hidden talent they have as well as those that have been in the game for a number of years now.
The Paris Paralympics are just two years away, and many of Namibia’s Paralympic-golden generation will be keen on giving it one last try before calling it a day.
Some of the athletes who are eyeing a place at the 2024 Games have competed in events dating as far back as 2012.
For coach Michael Hamukwaya and the Paralympics team, their task is to make sure that they have a strong team able to compete for medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
“We need the finances to make sure that Project 2024 is a success and that we can take the best prepared athletes to Paris.
“2024 is not that far away and that is why it is important to have the athletes competing in several events.
“We are optimistic that we can have a team that is talented enough and ready enough for Paris,” Hamukwaya said.
Ready, steady, win
Paralympics Namibia will be hoping that some of their old, trusted guards, including a new generation of stars, will be able to deliver and qualify for Paris. The organisation however faces an ageing group of stars but has also welcomed up-and-coming young competitors.
Paralympics gold medallist Ananias Shikongo will be 38 years old by the time the next Games takes place.
Shikongo’s friend and compatriot Johannes Nambala, who has also won several medals, will be 34 at the time the Paris competition takes place. London 2012 golden girl Johanna Benson, who has not lived up to her stunning performance a decade ago, will be 35 in 2024. Lahja Ishitile, who made her debut about nine years ago will be turning 27 in 2024.
Hamukwaya, is however optimistic that the veterans still have one last Game in them.
New and eager
The committee will be relying on the young and upcoming talent which include the likes of sprinter Bradley Murere.
Murere will be just 21 at the time of the Games and looks like a real deal to represent the country.
“Yes, these guys have come a long way but we are confident that they might still make it.
“We will however only be sure about this during the next few major competitions that will take place in the next few months and as well as next year.
“We also have young athletes that are coming that we need to build for 2024.
“Like I said, all that will cost money and it takes a huge investment to get the athletes ready by that time,” Hamukwaya said.
Hamukwaya added that they are eyeing several competitions, including next years All Africa Games, to test some of the hidden talent they have as well as those that have been in the game for a number of years now.
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