Worldwide paralympic athletes experience difficulties in finding support to reach the stars at the high level in sports. Also in Namibia, life is not easy for people with a handicap. Almost all paralympic athletes are unemployed. This means that the athletes need to rely on sponsoring and support from friends and family to be able to participate in sports. Aside the Sport on the Move Foundation there were several sponsors that we want to acknowledge for their support towards Tokyo2020:
NamPower main sponsor NPC Namibia
NamPower is supporting the NPC Namibia towards the Tokyo2020 Paralympic Games. The athletes received a farewell by NamPower managing director Haulofu before they left the country for Japan. For each medal the athletes were rewarded with price money that will be paid in monthly installments over the next two years. This will help them in their preparations towards Paris2024.
For winning a silver medal in Tokyo, evergreen sprinter Ananias Shikongo and his guide Sem Shimanda each got N$150 000 (9.500 Euro), with Johannes Nambala receiving N$100 000 (6.3000 Euro) for his bronze. Their coaches Letu Hamhola and Michael Hamukwaya were rewarded N$30 000 (1.900 Euro) each. Lahja Ishitile, along with guides Even Tjiuiu and Sydney Kamuaruuma, each received N$25 000 (1.600 Euro) for making it to the Paralympics.
The athletes are exemplary ambassadors and role models whom the nation should rally around, said NamPower chief operating officer Fritz Jacobs. “The athletes have proven themselves among some of the world’s best and NamPower is proud to be associated with such a great team of athletes,” Jacobs said.
Source: NamPower plugs disability sport. The Namibian – 20 April 2022.
MTC celebrates medals
MTC rewarded Ananias Shikongo and Johannes Nambala with N$100 000 (5.900 Euro) and N$70 000 (4.100 Euro) for their Paralympics Games heroics. Sem Shimanda, Shikongo’s guide, received N$50 000 for the significant role that he played. The athletes also received a brand-new iPhone 12 each. “We are inspired that anything is possible, and that it only takes a winning attitude, and drive and commitment of a winner to be a winner. You are an inspiration to aspiring future athletes,” said MTC executive Tim Ekandjo.
Also the Sisa Namandje Foundation supported Shikongo, his guide Shimanda and Nambala with a cash reward. The foundation understands how hard it is for athletes to be rewarded, but that they hope the little that is given to them will help where possible. Established in 2020, the foundation works towards helping orphanages and those in need.
