Namibia can expect to reach the podium at the upcoming Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany, says Special Olympics Namibia’s national director, Emilia Nzuzi.
This confident outlook is down to thorough preparation, suggesting the country is likely to medal in athletics, basketball and cycling at the global competition, which runs from 17 to 25 June.
Further confidence is drawn from Namibia’s successful debut at the Special Olympics Unified Cup in Detroit, in the United States, last year, when they claimed the Division 3 gold medal.
“The athletes are very excited to participate in the World Games. The Unified Cup was really a breakthrough. It brought confidence in our athletes.
“They look forward because they believe they can also bring back medals, which I also strongly believe,” Nzuzi told Desert Radio this week.
Germany will welcome 7 000 Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners from approximately 170 countries to compete in 26 sport codes.
The athletes will be supported by more than 3 000 coaches and 20 000 volunteers.
Namibia has entered one men’s 3×3 basketball unified team, consisting of two athletes with intellectual disabilities, and one partner.
The cycling and athletics are individual sport events for which Namibia has one athlete per sex.
“The preparation for the Unified Cup and World Games are different. We put more energy and time for the Summer Games than the Unified Cup. I think that’s what is motivating the athletes,” said Nzuzi.
She is particularly pleased about the athletes not having to be distracted by financial and administrative issues thanks to the support of the team’s backers.
The Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service is spending N$1,3 million towards the team’s German adventure, to go with NamPower’s continued involvement with Special Olympics Namibia.
“We’re very grateful to our sponsors. The youth and sport ministry paid for the entire delegation to go to Germany.
“Apart from that, NamPower, through Disability Sport Namibia, has already invested money into this team in preparation to go to the World Games,” Nzuzi said.
“It’s not just about funding a team at the last moment for flight tickets, because the team needs money for development and to get ready for the competition,” she said.
“So, to those sponsors who want to come on board, let’s not wait until the team comes back with medals. Let’s develop and prepare well so that when we buy them tickets, we know they are ready to compete.”
Sport minister AGnes Tjongarero urged the team to have fun and make the most of their opportunity to enhance the country’s standing.
“We look forward to your participation at the World Summer Games in Berlin. We are confident that you will make the nation proud and bring back that gold medals, just as proud as we were when the female unified football team brought back gold from the USA last year,” acclaimed Tjongarero.
The team consists of: Louise Sagaria, Fimanekeni Hamutenya, Tjatanaurua Tjakava, Pepua Kambueza, Munouwa Haita, Vincentius Boois, Javier Nghishilenapo, Rodney Stewe, Vitjituaije Master, Levina Smit (assistant coach), Nicholas (additional staff), Hesron Kapanga (media), James Makuwa (assistant coach), Getrude Garises (HOD), Emilia Nzuzi (Assistant HOD), Frans Indongo (team doctor), Soin Ndalimbililwa (coach), Jeremiah Kavandje (coach), Adma Nzuzi (coach), Werner Jeffery (assistant coach).
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