Ishitile proud to fly Namibia’s flag 

Namibia’s Paralympic heroine, Lahja Ishitile, says she is more excited and proud to be back home than when she won gold and bronze in France.

Ishitile and her guide, Sem Shimanda, returned home on Wednesday night, leading the country’s 2024 Paris Paralympic Games team.

The team was received at the Hosea Kutako International Airport by family, friends, fans and government officials.

“I am excited to be back home. I am feeling so proud to be back home, more proud than I was in Paris,” Ishitile said at a reception in her honour at the airport.

Following her gold medal in the women’s T11 400m final on 31 August, Ishitile, the country’s flagbearer for the Paris games, claimed the bronze medal in the T11 200m on 7 September when she finished third.

Shimanda said the wins were not expected.

“There were lots of miracles happening. Some of us were not even expecting to win gold, but we did,” he said.

A street parade through Windhoek was held in the team’s honour yesterday, starting at Snyman Circle at Ausspannplatz and concluding at Soweto Market along Independence Avenue.

Welcoming the team back, deputy minister of sport, youth and national service Emma Kantema-Gaomas said she appreciated the athletes’ hard work and their results.

“A huge congratulations to Lahja Ishitile and Sem Shimanda for scooping that gold medal. It was not easy, and I am sure you can attest to it.

“But because of your commitment, your dedication, your hard work and your love for your country you went out there and you gave it your all,” she said.