Take part in local events – Hamukwaya

Limba Mupetami



WINDHOEK

The secretary-general of the Namibia Paralympic Committee, Michael Hamukwaya, said certain elite para-athletes refuse to take part in local events and only want to participate in international ones.

He said this is very disappointing as the committee is trying to help local athletes by getting them to compete in International Paralympic Committee-recognised competitions and to get them better rankings through locally organised events, but that they just want to travel abroad.

“We have spoken to Athletics Namibia (AN) in order for them to incorporate para-athletes in their events as well. This because it is expensive to organise events as we have no sponsor. What a struggle to invest in the athletes as well. We want the athletes closer to us so that we can monitor them, Hamukwaya said.

Weekend event

“But we have no hostels in which to house them in Windhoek. This is also why some go back to their home towns,” he said.

AN has activities planned for this weekend at the Independence Stadium. Hamukwaya urged para-athletes from all regions to enter as this will be good preparation for them.

“As much as we are trying our best, we need the athletes to also bring their part,” he added.