Athletes with disabilities honoured

Paralympics and Special Olympics athletes, guides and coaches received recognition awards on Thursday. The event was hosted by Disability Sports Namibia (DSN) and sponsored by the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA Fund) and NamPower. NamPower handed over N$811 000 and the MVA Fund gave N$100 000 towards DSN’s annual activities. NamPower Managing Director Paulinus Shilamba said sport is acknowledged as a daily activity for everyone, and no learner should be disqualified from participating in sport because of a disability. “Sports academies should open up centres that can cater for everyone because sports development should be seen as an important tool for nation building,” he stated. The Paralympics athletes who received recognition awards were: Ananias Shikongo, Ruben Soroseb, Peter Balhoa, Johannes Nambala, Johanna Benson, Elias Ndimulunde, Lahja Ishitile, Johanna Katjikuru, Chamelle van Der Westhuizen, Rosa Mandjoro, and Gideon Nasilowski. Track athletes’ guides Even Tjiviju and David Ndeilenga were also honoured for their roles. The Special Olympics athletes who received awards are: Abraham Alweendo, Linrich Diergaardt, Jurgen Kamure, Irene Mupenda, Ruben Gowaseb, Andile Mhlanga, Melanie van Wyk, Selma Nelumbu and Andima Simon. The following coaches were also recognised for their contribution towards sports for people with disabilities. They are the late Tertius Beukes (Paralympics), Esther Washinana (Paralympics), Belinda Oberholster (Paralympics), Michael Hamukwaya (Paralympics), Zikzee Mutenge (Paralympics), Rodney van Wyk (Special Olympics), Tessia Scott (Special Olympics), Erikson Ngikufe (Special Olympics), Shelikita Andreas (Special Olympics), and Ankoshi Thomas (Special Olympics). WINDHOEK-NAMPA