More work ahead for Namibia’s para-athletes
JESOLO - Namibia Paralympic Committee (NPC) secretary general Michael Hamukwaya is happy to see Namibian para-athletes sharing the stage with their international counterparts, but added that more still needs to be done.
Team Namibia recently won 13 medals at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Jesolo, Italy, and is hard at work preparing for the Nottwil Grand Prix, scheduled for 25 to 27 May 2023 in Switzerland.
In an interview with Nampa on Tuesday, Hamukwaya said despite winning medals at the 2023 Jesolo Grand Prix, the times run by the athletes could have been better.
“We are at a different level of competition, and the most important thing is that we came to Europe so that we can improve on our times before the world championships, scheduled for Paris in July. Our goal is for the athletes to run good times,” he noted.
Hamukwaya, who is currently acting as the team manager for the NPC’s European Tour, added that it is important for Namibian athletes to improve their times at next week’s Grand Prix.
“The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Championships will be a big challenge for the athletes if their times are not improved. This will limit their chances of winning medals at the World Championships, as everyone will come well-prepared.”
Hamukwaya said during their first Grand Prix in Italy, athletes’ performances might have been affected by the weather, but things must improve if they are to win silverware that will guarantee them spots at the 2024 Paralympic Games.
“We have been in Europe for two weeks now, and we hope the weather will not be a problem for them. My biggest concern at the moment is slower times. I hope athletes will improve from the 70% they gave a week ago,” he reiterated.