Gawaseb desperate for travel funds
Rudly Gawaseb's trip to South Africa for the Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge could be cancelled if he fails to secure funds.
27 January 2020 | Sports
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
Namibian wheelchair rider Rudly Gawaseb is in need of N$13 000 to travel to South Africa for the annual Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge in George.
This year's Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge will take place on 15 February, with many para-athletes competing for top prizes.
Gawaseb has been part of the challenge for the past three years and won a silver medal in 2017.
The prospects of the para-athlete taking part again however look bleak due to a lack of funds.
Namibia Paralympic Committee (NPC) secretary-general Michael Hamukwaya said the committee has struggled to secure funds for the rider.
“I can confirm that we want to send Rudly Gawaseb to South Africa but there are no funds available.
“I am pleading with anyone or a company that is out there to support the rider for him to represent the country at this big event.
“Gawaseb will be travelling alone and he will therefore only need N$13 000 for the trip.
“He is a very passionate and talented para-athlete who is capable of winning big medals for the country,” Hamukwaya said.
In 2017, cyclists Frans Paulus, Matias Kamenya and Gawaseb took part in the wheelchair challenge.
Gawaseb came second in the T53 21km wheelchair race, while Kamenya came second in T54 21km.
“It is a very important event for our para-athletes because it enhances their skills.
“We hope to send more athletes in the future but that can only happen when there is enough funding.
“The problem that we have at the moment is that sport is really underfunded by the government and some corporate companies choose to invest their money somewhere else,” Hamukwaya added.
Namibian wheelchair rider Rudly Gawaseb is in need of N$13 000 to travel to South Africa for the annual Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge in George.
This year's Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge will take place on 15 February, with many para-athletes competing for top prizes.
Gawaseb has been part of the challenge for the past three years and won a silver medal in 2017.
The prospects of the para-athlete taking part again however look bleak due to a lack of funds.
Namibia Paralympic Committee (NPC) secretary-general Michael Hamukwaya said the committee has struggled to secure funds for the rider.
“I can confirm that we want to send Rudly Gawaseb to South Africa but there are no funds available.
“I am pleading with anyone or a company that is out there to support the rider for him to represent the country at this big event.
“Gawaseb will be travelling alone and he will therefore only need N$13 000 for the trip.
“He is a very passionate and talented para-athlete who is capable of winning big medals for the country,” Hamukwaya said.
In 2017, cyclists Frans Paulus, Matias Kamenya and Gawaseb took part in the wheelchair challenge.
Gawaseb came second in the T53 21km wheelchair race, while Kamenya came second in T54 21km.
“It is a very important event for our para-athletes because it enhances their skills.
“We hope to send more athletes in the future but that can only happen when there is enough funding.
“The problem that we have at the moment is that sport is really underfunded by the government and some corporate companies choose to invest their money somewhere else,” Hamukwaya added.
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