Also in 2021 we would like to organise a training stage to set great results at the Para Athletics Grand Prix in Paris (France) and Notwill (Zwitserland). In 2019, Johannes Nambala and Ananias Shikongo with guide Sem Shimanda participated in a training stage in The Netherlands. During this training stage they set fast times for a good position in the current rankings. Due to Covid-19, the training stage and competitions were canceled in 2020.

Why the need for participation in competitions?

According to the IPC qualification rules the top six (6) ranked athletes of each Individual medal event will obtain one (1) qualification slot for their respective NPC. World Para Athletics will establish a 12- month Qualification Ranking from 1 April 2019 to 1 April 2020 for each of the Individual medal events on the Tokyo 2020 Event Programme. That means our athletes have to perform on the international competitions to obtain a position on the ranking list.

Why a training stage:

During a training stage, athletes learn to prepare and train under other-than-home circumstances. We try to get as close as possible to the competition environment. In the last training stage in 2019, athletes improved their running techniques at athletics club AC TION and got strength training from Leon Stevense Personal Training. They also get support from Pro-F physiotherapists.

Athletes also become part of the local sports community and in this way we facilitate an exchange between the Namibian and local culture. Members of Athletics Club TION participated in a Paralympic Meet & Greet and learned how to be a guide runner and how running blind feels. We also visited the Dutch National Training Center Papendal and trained together with the Dutch Paralympic athletics team. We shared our story with the participants of the Sports Leadership program at Nyenrode Business University and with youngsters at secondary schools.