Nguluwe dreams of Tokyo
Namibia's only blade runner Etchegaray Nguluwe’s dream is to compete in the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Limba Mupetami
WINDHOEK
Paralympic runner Etchegaray Nguluwe says all he dreams of is competing at a grand stage like the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Born with a club foot, his dream has, however, been delayed as he awaits a socket in order to get back on the track.
“My dream is to compete in the Olympics. But in order to really make an impact, I need preparation. That’s why I was very happy when the Games were postponed because then I have enough time to get ready, but on the other hand, I now wait for the socket.
“I can’t run using the one I’ve got at the moment because it has stretched and hurts my knee. It swells up and takes days to recover. I need a new one which fits perfectly,” the athlete said.
‘I don’t want to ask for handouts’
Namibian Sun visited Nguluwe in Gobabis where he is taking care of an ill aunt.
“I had to travel from Windhoek to care for her. This also allowed me to test for my driver’s license, which I got a week ago in Gobabis.
“So, I’m really happy with that achievement. Now I can focus on finding a job and that can help finance my needs as an athlete.
“I don’t want to sit around and ask for handouts,” he added.
Limited facilities
Not only is the athlete frustrated by the wait, but he also spoke about the limited facilities for para-athletes in the country.
“Facilities are a problem to be honest. I train at the Katutura Youth Centre (KYC), at the Independence Stadium as well as with my biokineticist Bjorn Magg. I cannot afford taxi fare to the stadium every day.
“The KYC is nearer; that’s where I go. But the track is full of stones as it is gravel.
“But one can’t complain, you just make use of the opportunity,” he added.
‘Like servicing a car’
Sharing Nguluwe’s sentiments is Memory Kahlari from the Namibia National Paralympic Committee (NPC).
“As the muscles grow due to training, the socket stretches. So, he needs a new socket. His old one stretched due to constant training. This socket needs to be replaced every year. It's like servicing a car. It's a costly exercise,” she said.
“We were supposed to get it from a sponsor in Germany, but time is against us, so we got guys from the ministry of health who said they can provide.
“We are also waiting for funds in order to pay for it,” she said.
N$40k socket
Kahlari added that they are in talks with Athletics Namibia to incorporate para-athletes in their competitions, as this will allow their points to be ranked internationally.
"This way, whatever competition the athletes take part in across borders will be to prepare for competitions,” she said.
According to Michael Hamukwaya, NPC secretary-general, the socket can go for up to N$40 000.
“It’s very expensive and without sponsors, we try to assist the athletes.
“In regard to competitions and improving their rankings, we urge the athletes to take part in local events and not just look at international ones,” he said.
WINDHOEK
Paralympic runner Etchegaray Nguluwe says all he dreams of is competing at a grand stage like the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Born with a club foot, his dream has, however, been delayed as he awaits a socket in order to get back on the track.
“My dream is to compete in the Olympics. But in order to really make an impact, I need preparation. That’s why I was very happy when the Games were postponed because then I have enough time to get ready, but on the other hand, I now wait for the socket.
“I can’t run using the one I’ve got at the moment because it has stretched and hurts my knee. It swells up and takes days to recover. I need a new one which fits perfectly,” the athlete said.
‘I don’t want to ask for handouts’
Namibian Sun visited Nguluwe in Gobabis where he is taking care of an ill aunt.
“I had to travel from Windhoek to care for her. This also allowed me to test for my driver’s license, which I got a week ago in Gobabis.
“So, I’m really happy with that achievement. Now I can focus on finding a job and that can help finance my needs as an athlete.
“I don’t want to sit around and ask for handouts,” he added.
Limited facilities
Not only is the athlete frustrated by the wait, but he also spoke about the limited facilities for para-athletes in the country.
“Facilities are a problem to be honest. I train at the Katutura Youth Centre (KYC), at the Independence Stadium as well as with my biokineticist Bjorn Magg. I cannot afford taxi fare to the stadium every day.
“The KYC is nearer; that’s where I go. But the track is full of stones as it is gravel.
“But one can’t complain, you just make use of the opportunity,” he added.
‘Like servicing a car’
Sharing Nguluwe’s sentiments is Memory Kahlari from the Namibia National Paralympic Committee (NPC).
“As the muscles grow due to training, the socket stretches. So, he needs a new socket. His old one stretched due to constant training. This socket needs to be replaced every year. It's like servicing a car. It's a costly exercise,” she said.
“We were supposed to get it from a sponsor in Germany, but time is against us, so we got guys from the ministry of health who said they can provide.
“We are also waiting for funds in order to pay for it,” she said.
N$40k socket
Kahlari added that they are in talks with Athletics Namibia to incorporate para-athletes in their competitions, as this will allow their points to be ranked internationally.
"This way, whatever competition the athletes take part in across borders will be to prepare for competitions,” she said.
According to Michael Hamukwaya, NPC secretary-general, the socket can go for up to N$40 000.
“It’s very expensive and without sponsors, we try to assist the athletes.
“In regard to competitions and improving their rankings, we urge the athletes to take part in local events and not just look at international ones,” he said.
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