OSHAKATI – This year’s regional championship for athletes living with disabilities was held at the Oshakati Independence Stadium last Saturday under the theme – “Through sport people with disability can develop.”
The event brought together over 300 athletes, volunteers and officials from all 13 regions and included athletics, table tennis, tennis, power lifting, wheelchair basketball and field events such as shotput, javelin and discus. Different regions walked away with an assortment of prizes that saw the Oshana Region scooping the best region award. The Omusati, Khomas and Erongo regions each walked away with a trophy and medals, while the Ohangwena and Kavango regions also found themselves among the medal collectors. The Governor of the vast Oshana Region, Clemens Kashuupulwa applauded the initiative and said the sporting event will go a long way in eradicating the stigma that exists in the minds of many people who equate disability with inability. Kashuupulwa said people living with disabilities can become successful achievers, not only in sports, but also in many other aspects of human competitive performance.
He further noted that the mushrooming of sports clubs and sporting events of this magnitude should serve as a clear testimony of the ability of people living with disabilities to engage in the socio-economic development of the country just like any other members of the society. Kashuupulwa encouraged people living with disabilities to join the Oshana Heroes Sports Club with parents, caretakers of people living with disabilities and the community in general to support those who want to participate in sporting activities.
At the close of the event, chairman of the Oshana Heroes Sports Club, Hafeni Mtembi, thanked the main sponsor Ongwediva-based Consulting Services Africa, including the co-sponsors and volunteers for assisting disabled people and for making the 2013 Oshana Regional Championship a success.
By Nuusita Ashipala