Sport awards blunders undermine stars

Saturday’s Namibia Annual Sport Awards (Nasa) gaffes could have been prevented if the organisers were diligent in their duties, says Namibia Paralympic Committee president Johannes Litwayi.

These “serious missteps” devaluate the occasion and cast aspersions on the competence of those in charge of organising it, chiefly the Namibia Sport Commission.

The standout blunder was arguably awarding the coveted sport star of the year award to cyclist Vera Looser instead of Paralympic star Lahja Ishitile.

The organisers also failed to have a ramp to access the stage for wheelchair-bound athletes and officials.

This could be construed to be inherent prejudice against those living with disabilities, Litwayi says.

“First, the mix-up between the award meant for Lahja Ishitile and not Vera Looser was a regrettable oversight, undermining the recognition of the deserving athlete,” says Litwayi.

“An apology was issued, but such errors highlight the need for more careful attention to detail in such significant events.

“Secondly, the failure to provide a ramp for attendees in wheelchairs was an unfortunate oversight in accessibility. This lack of consideration not only shows poor planning but also a disregard for inclusivity, which should be a priority in any public event,” he stresses.

The Nasa organisers’ apology on Monday blamed a technical glitch for the mistaken identity issue while passing off the ramp access as an oversight.

“The Namibia Sports Commission extends its heartfelt apologies to all athletes, nominees, and stakeholders affected by these errors. We value your contributions to sport in Namibia and are dedicated to upholding the integrity of our awards process,” the sports commission stated.

Litwayi implores the organisers to seek guidance for upcoming events.

“In future, it would be wise for the committee to include someone from Disability Sports Namibia as the representative body for athletes with disabilities. They would be instrumental in ensuring that accessibility and other needs are addressed, and that no one is overlooked,” Litwayi says.

“Their inclusion would guarantee that these critical details are properly considered, helping to create a more inclusive and respectful environment for all participants.”