Paralympic athletes gets financial boost

The managing director of national power utility, NamPower, Paulinus Shilamba this week handed over a sponsorship of N$700,000 to Disability Sport Namibia during a sending off ceremony of the Paralympics delegation to the London 2012 Games later this month.
The sponsorship comes as a welcome boost fior the athletes who will compete at the Olympic games that are starting on 29 August in London, the Special Olympics Unified FIFA World Cup qualifier in October this year; and the Disability Sport Namibia National Awards Ceremony later this year.
He said the strategic partnership that NamPower formed with Disability Sport Namibia in October last year stemmed from the keen interest that NamPower has taken in observing the aspirations by Disability Sport Namibia to ensure that  people with disabilities have opportunities to participate in sporting activities locally and at international level, thereby enabling them to achieve their true potential.
“For too long people with disabilities have been neglected, even though it is a well known fact that sport, for persons with disabilities, works to improve the inclusion and well-being.Sport also provides opportunities for persons with disabilities to develop social skills, forge friendships outside their families, exercise responsibility and take on leadership roles.”
Shilamba added that NamPower fully supports the work by the Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sport & Culture, the Namibia National Sports Commission, the administrative body for sports for People with Disabilities – Disability Sport Namibia, and the two affiliated members  – Special Olympics Namibia and Paralympics Namibia for preparing the athletes. He urged the athletes to remain focused.