Phenomenal

LIMBA MUPETAMI





The President of the National Paralympic Committee of Namibia, (NPC) Johannes Litwayi, is happy with the way the country's para-athletes are performing, but also highlighted the poor funding the disabled athletes receive and said they could achieve more, if properly funded.

Namibia's para-athletes have been performing above par in recent years, with many returning with a growing kitty of medals from international competitions.

Athletes like Johanna Benson, Ananias Shikongo, Johannes Nambala and Lahja Ishitile have stamped their names in record books after winning competitions nobody thought they could.

However, over the past years the athletes have raised the issue of a lack of proper funding to prepare and perform at international competitions.

The complaints have fallen on deaf ears, even though the athletes are hailed as sporting heroes across the world.

To get a clear idea and his views on what is happening in the Paralympic sphere, Namibian Sun sat with Litwayi who represents these athletes and has made it his goal and agenda that the athletes receive the much-needed support from the ministry of sport, as well as the corporate world.

Litwayi started off as a short put, discus and javelin athlete back in 1987. He said he broke records in those disciplines nationally and was celebrated by many sport lovers.

In 1988/89 he moved to Ongwediva, where he played football for Benfica FC and thereafter also tried his hand at boxing, winning numerous contests.

He noticed there were many talented boxers in the area but few mentors and coaches, so he decided to open his own academy where he trained boxers from different schools in the area.

However, his participation in able-bodied sport came to an end one fateful day back in 1989. He was involved in a bombing accident after he attended a meeting held by Founding Father, Dr Sam Nujoma, at Okatana in Oshakati.

“On my way back to school from the meeting I was maimed by a bomb planted by the former South African army. I lost my legs and became disabled.

“After that it was difficult to find clubs which catered for disabled athletes, but in 2009 I took the opportunity presented and joined Paralympic sports.

The eager Litwayi participated in javelin and powerlifting.

“In 2013 I took part in international games in Pretoria, South Africa were I took the gold medal in powerlifting.

“Things really started to look up for me and because of my involvement in Paralympic sport and activities regionally. In June 2015 I was elected as the president,” he said this achievement came as a result of his leadership skills.

“I deal with a lot of people every day. I make sure that I satisfy the needs of people and the athletes I represent,” Litwayi said.

According to him some of the changes he brought into the organisation are identifying athletes from grassroots level and then developing them regionally, nationally and internationally; and also visiting various regions to set up sport committee's to represent para-athletes.

“That has been my focus - to seek and train disabled athletes because I want to see more of them competing in swimming, blind soccer, table tennis, wheelchair basketball and we are working on increasing the number of T40 athletes to be expanded across the country.

“All of this we first do regionally before we send the athletes to the head coach in Windhoek for international game preparations,” he explained.

His vision is clear and sound, however, he receives little support from the Namibian government to meet the targets set out.

“There is an agreement between the United Nations and the Namibian government stipulating that people with disabilities be treated equal with able-bodied athletes. But that's not happening. What we receive in resources is not close to what able-bodied athletes get. This results in us not achieving our targeted goals.

“So even if we win more medals we receive less appreciation compared to other countries like South Africa. Around here, people are not interested in supporting Paralympics.”

Litwayi added they don't have a strong body which represents them and that fights for their rights, in order for them to receive more money from the government.

“Thus we don't get equal funds like able-bodied athletes and other sport codes in the country.”

This, he said, frustrates him a lot.

“Last year millions of dollars were availed for able-bodied athletes to prepare for international games, but Paralympic athletes received nothing.

“The ministry of sport as well as some sponsors such as Coca-Cola, NamPower and FNB offers us support but it's not enough.

“The ministry of sport arranges funds for para-sports through the sport commission, but I don't think they understand the needs of the para-athletes. For example the athletes need special attention and more guidance,” he lamented.

However, despite the lack of funds he said the secret to their success is just preparations and commitment from the athletes and their coaches.

“We are just committed to the cause, but if we could have enough funds and facilities we could inspire and motivate more athletes and their parents to send the children to us to train and represent the country nationally and internationally.

“Many people ask if I experience difficulties working with disabled athletes, but I don't. It is not difficult or different because I'm also disabled and was an athlete so I understand where they come from.”

Going forward he wishes that more coaches can be trained on how to best help para-athletes regionally.

“We also need equipment and enough funds to prepare and send our athletes to more international games, so they can pick up experience to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Games.

“We want to send a lot of athletes in different sport divisions so that we can win more of medals because we have shown that we are able,” he added.