Paralympic athletes ‘feel like stepchildren’
Arguably the athletes that bring home the most medals, Paralympics continues to be overlooked compared to other sport codes.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
WINDHOEK
Namibia Paralympics Committee secretary-general Michael Hamukwaya has expressed dismay over the way the allocation of funds towards the committee is handled.
Hamukwaya, who is also a coach, said they feel Paralympics is the stepchild of the Namibian sporting world when it comes to allocation of funds.
Speaking during yesterday’s Namibia Media Holdings Sport Wrap show, he is calling for equal treatment.
“A perfect example is that when national and football teams have to participate at tournaments, millions are allocated.
“This is, however, not the same thing with Paralympics that only gets some hundred thousand, which is really not enough.
“It is time that we get equal treatment because we are Namibians and just as important as all the other sport codes,” Hamukwaya said.
Success, but no reward
Reginald Benade was the first Paralympian to get earn Namibia a medal at the 2008 Paralympics in China.
Benade’s success was followed by another outstanding and historic performance by Namibia’s golden girl Johanna Benson, who scooped gold and silver at the 2012 Paralympics.
The likes of Ananias Shikongo, Johannes Nambala and Lahja Ishitile followed suit with medal-winning performances.
“We have all these athletes that have done an amazing job and that have proven that Paralympics has been the sport that has produced world and Paralympic champions.
“It is sad that these other sport codes which get millions have not even won medals at the highest of levels, but they are still taken as a priority,” Hamukwaya said.
More can be done
He further lauded the companies that have supported Paralympics over the years.
He added that while the government has also played an important role, it can still do more as far as supporting Paralympics is concerned.
“There is an incredible amount of talent still to emerge out of Namibia.
“One will not entirely say the government does not support because we still grateful for their efforts.
“There are also other companies that have supported us and we very grateful for them too,” he said.
WINDHOEK
Namibia Paralympics Committee secretary-general Michael Hamukwaya has expressed dismay over the way the allocation of funds towards the committee is handled.
Hamukwaya, who is also a coach, said they feel Paralympics is the stepchild of the Namibian sporting world when it comes to allocation of funds.
Speaking during yesterday’s Namibia Media Holdings Sport Wrap show, he is calling for equal treatment.
“A perfect example is that when national and football teams have to participate at tournaments, millions are allocated.
“This is, however, not the same thing with Paralympics that only gets some hundred thousand, which is really not enough.
“It is time that we get equal treatment because we are Namibians and just as important as all the other sport codes,” Hamukwaya said.
Success, but no reward
Reginald Benade was the first Paralympian to get earn Namibia a medal at the 2008 Paralympics in China.
Benade’s success was followed by another outstanding and historic performance by Namibia’s golden girl Johanna Benson, who scooped gold and silver at the 2012 Paralympics.
The likes of Ananias Shikongo, Johannes Nambala and Lahja Ishitile followed suit with medal-winning performances.
“We have all these athletes that have done an amazing job and that have proven that Paralympics has been the sport that has produced world and Paralympic champions.
“It is sad that these other sport codes which get millions have not even won medals at the highest of levels, but they are still taken as a priority,” Hamukwaya said.
More can be done
He further lauded the companies that have supported Paralympics over the years.
He added that while the government has also played an important role, it can still do more as far as supporting Paralympics is concerned.
“There is an incredible amount of talent still to emerge out of Namibia.
“One will not entirely say the government does not support because we still grateful for their efforts.
“There are also other companies that have supported us and we very grateful for them too,” he said.
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