Namibian cyclist Vera Looser was mistakenly announced as the Sport Star of the Year at Saturday’s Namibia Annual Sports Awards held in Windhoek.

However, it later emerged that the rightful winner of this prestigious award is para-athlete Lahja Ishitile, whose stellar performance on the international stage earned her the accolade.

In addition to being named Sport Star of the Year, Ishitile was also honoured with the Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability award and the Chairperson’s Award of Excellence, recognising her remarkable achievements in para-sport.

The organisers attributed the mix-up to an error by the auditors, Hamilton and Partners, who had initially provided incorrect results. Upon discovering the mistake, the judges promptly informed the organisers and confirmed Ishitile as the rightful recipient.

The Marketing and Public Relations Officer at the Namibia Sport Commission, Givean Samulandela, clarified that the error occurred because the auditors mistakenly used a template from the previous year. This template listed Looser, who had won the Sport Star of the Year and Sportswoman of the Year awards in 2023, as the 2024 winner. Samulandela emphasised that the Namibia Cycling Federation was notified immediately after the correction.

“We take full responsibility for this lapse.
We also acknowledge the omission of a ramp for wheelchair athletes to access the stage during the awards ceremony. This oversight is unacceptable, and we are committed to ensuring equal access for all athletes at future events. Additionally, a technical glitch caused some profiles to jam and cut off during their presentations. We sincerely apologise for any confusion or frustration this may have caused.

“The Namibia Sports Commission extends heartfelt apologies to all athletes, nominees, and stakeholders affected by these errors. The commission reiterates its commitment to upholding the integrity of the awards process and implementing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future,” he said. 

Samulandela added that Looser, a celebrated athlete in her own right, was equally surprised by the announcement, as she had not entered this category. She graciously accepted the clarification and continues to prepare for the upcoming Nedbank Desert Dash. Looser was rightfully recognised as the Sportswoman of the Year at the event.

For Ishitile, the rectification brought immense joy and validation, even though some who attended the event said that the para-athlete was robbed of her chance to shine on stage. “I am happy with the rectification and waiting for them to announce it publicly,” she said.

Ishitile, along with her guide Sem Shimanda, has delivered outstanding performances on the international stage. The duo secured a gold medal in the 400-metre T11 category, at the Paris Paralympic Games and a bronze medal in the Women’s 200m T11 final, solidifying Ishitile’s place as one of Namibia’s top athletes.  

– lmupetami@nepc.com.na