Namibia: Country Pins Last Hopes on Paralympics

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New Era (Windhoek)

29 August 2008
Posted to the web 29 August 2008

Carlos Kambaekwa
Windhoek

After Namibia's failure to claim any medals at the recently concluded Summer Olympic Games in Beijing - the country is now pinning her hopes on disabled athlete Reginald Benade.

The 34-year old Benade is currently ranked sixth in the world and will be Namibia's only medal hopeful when the 12-day Beijing Paralympics Games gets under way in the Chinese capital on the 6th of next month.

The former national decathlon champion and current record holder will be competing in both the shot put and discuss disciplines and is optimistic about his odds at winning medals irrespective of the colour.

"I've been training well in the Free state, South Africa, and if statistics are anything to go by, I'm obliged to believe that I'll be amongst the medal collectors - come end of the games," said a clearly confident Benade after a brief courtesy call on the Minister of Youth, National Service, Sport & Culture Reverend Willem Konjore in Windhoek, yesterday.

Benade is no stranger to athletics and had already booked his place in the Namibian Olympic team for Sydney 2000 when a horrific motorcycle accident put paid to his dream of representing his country internationally.

However, the accident did not deter his dream of competing at the highest level and he has been thrown another lifeline with his participation in the Paralympics. The line Minister praised Benade for his courage and urged the athlete to represent the country with distinction and honour.

"The fact that you were chosen out of two million inhabitants to represent Namibia says a lot about your ability and we have no doubt that you will acquit yourself well under any circumstances and therefore wish you all the best. Go to China and pick up the pieces where our team failed to win any medals because we all have trust in your ability to do the country proud," the Minister said.

The Acting Chairperson of the Namibian Sport Commission (NSC) Doc Naobeb used the platform and extended an apology to the Namibian public at large for the Commission's apparent oversight in excluding the Namibian delegation to the Paralympics when the Olympic team was presented to President Hifikepunye Pohamba at State House earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Namdeb handed over a cheque of N$10 000 to the Namibian delegation for their Paralympics participation.

"We at Namdeb always regard ourselves as the people's company and whenever we are requested to assist those in need, we are always willing to heed the call," said a delighted Anne-Nora Lameck, the Senior Communications Officer Manager at Namdeb.

Benade will be accompanied by his coach Michael Amutenya and Team Manager Penandino Kandjii. The trio leaves for Beijing on Monday where it will team up with the Chef de Mission Joan Smit who remained behind in China to assist her compatriots while in China.

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