Businessmen pledge to support Para-athlete

Israel Kaulume, the only athlete with a disability to take part in the Erongo PowerSave Street Mile race at Omaruru on Saturday, has received pledges worth N$10 000 from local businessmen Bobby Gribel and Armand Steyn.

Kaulume, who uses a wheelchair, competed in the Masters Men Category (50+) and finished the 1.6-kilometre race in a respectable time of 11:23:00.

The man from Walvis Bay in the Erongo Region was elated at his achievement, but said he could have posted a better time.

“I could have done better than 11 minutes but my wheelchair is old and it''s not suitable for racing. Next year I will come back, and I will aim for less than 10 minutes,” he said enthusiastically.

Berthold Karumendu, the regional sports officer for Omaruru who is also one of the event organisers, said Kaulume came all the way from Walvis Bay to Omaruru on his own for the event.

“He came by himself using his own transport and competed. This is what this event is all about... people who never give up despite the challenges they face,” Karumendu said.

He said there is a possibility that next year, there will be a category for disabled athletes.

“We will look at the possibility with all the parties involved,” he said.

Gribel of PowerSave Omaruru said it was a spontaneous reaction for him to donate money to Kaulume.

“It was a great event. We had almost 50% more participants than last year, next year we will definitely be there and it should be bigger and better.

“Israel left his family to come here all by himself. What greater heights can he achieve if he has proper gear?” Gribel said.

Shield Buying and Distribution''s Steyn said: “His attitude towards the event is very positive, he is a special person. We will give him the money so he can get himself a proper wheelchair and I hope to see him back here next year.”

This year there were 947 participants from 1 040 entries.