WINDHOEK, March 9 — Namibia’s National Paralympic Committee (NNPC) on Tuesday held the first-ever Para Sport Festival to attract new talent and drive inclusivity.
Michael Hamukwaya, secretary general of the NNPC, said that this move aimed to expose people living with disabilities to various sports and help identify their respective categories based on their physical ability.
According to Hamukwaya, many people living with disabilities face many challenges in society and have limited access to opportunities.
“People do not have much information on how to access para-sports, hence the crucial importance of trials such as this to address the gaps and identify new sporting talents,” he said.
The festival also aimed to foster cooperation with coaches of different sports codes and address social problems such as discrimination and stigma by promoting community involvement in para-sports.
“The biggest driver that led us to this was that we wanted to involve the community because of persisting stigma still associated with people with disabilities. Once we get the community involved, they can also support the para-athletes. Moreover, to nurture their growth in sports,” Hamkwaya said.
Meanwhile, locals embraced the initiative. Peter Katanga, a Paralympian, joined the festival to explore new sports codes.
“The festival allowed us to see where else our talents lie. I have mastered sprinting and wish to join other sports codes, such as soccer, which was impactful in arriving at an informed decision,” Katanga said. (Xinhua)
