Windhoek, March 10 – On March 4th, Special Olympics Namibia (SON) inaugurated its refurbished sports facilities at the Katutura Football for Hope Centre, and kicked off a sports day together with its stakeholders. The Honorable Christine //Hoebes, Minister of Presidency and patron of Special Olympics Namibia as well as the Honorable Agnes Tjongarero, Minister of Youth, Sport and National Services (MYSNS), together with GIZ, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) were present to mark this inauguration of the refurbished facilities and fencing of the property.
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community. It became harder and harder to fulfill this mission in Namibia for the athletes, as the facilities were simply not safe for the athletes. With the intervention of GIZ, funding and expertise were sourced that enabled the SON to receive the much-needed upgrade and allow the continued development of the Special Olympics movement in Namibia. Upgrade comprised of new fencing and general upgrade of the facilities, although very grateful for GIZ’s support SON is always looking for other sponsors and supporters to assist in finishing the upgrades and maintaining the facilities.
The stakeholders present, including the Ministries, different sporting organizations, and the media. With this event, SON demonstrated the importance of the refurbishment of the facilities and the access to sports for all people. Honorable Agnes Tjongarero who seconded Deputy Director for Marginalized and Women in Sports Ms. Johanna Manuel, MYSNS, stated that the newly erected fence would ensure much-needed deterrence to persons who may intend to vandalize and steal goods from the Centre. She continued by saying: “It would also provide improved safeguarding for children, athletes, coaches, and
staff members.” After which she further urged all stakeholders, including and especially the local community to take care of this facility and let us use it appropriately.
The Special Olympics organization in Namibia is not just about sports. It educates people on health, community-based activities as well providing education and training in the development of athletes. Engaging them on nutrition, safeguarding children and athletes, and inspiring those with Intellectual Disabilities that they too can achieve what they want and participate in regional, national, and even international sporting events. Emilia Nzuzi, National Executive Director of Special Olympics Namibia said;
“The participation in activities for people with disabilities at this Centre, will not only contribute to the health and welfare of a person with Intellectual Disabilities but will reduce the negative stigma attached to them.” She continued and added; ”giving people with Intellectual Disabilities the same opportunities is essential and the pride which they feel from participating in sports and events is immense and a joy to behold”.
This year and in the coming years the refurbished facilities will allow the organization to focus on the sporting events coming up such as the 2022 Unify football cup in the USA, Chicago, and the 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games, being held in Berlin, Germany. Providing our athletes qualify and SON receives the necessary support and funding will see the brilliant and dedicated athletes participate on an international stage.
The training can commence right here at the newly upgraded facilities in Katutura that will give the athletes and participants a safe haven to develop their sporting skills and a new generation of athletes can shine.
