Namibia’s Paralympic team, selected to represent the nation at the upcoming 11th African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games, has raised alarm over degrading treatment provided to them ahead of the continental competition.
The team of 90 athletes, including coaches was initially scheduled to be housed at Rietfontein’s National Youth Centre (NYS), where they were set to camp and train before travelling to Swakopmund for the games, which will run from 4 to 13 July.
However, the sports officer on the ground moved the team to Makalani Primary School in Grootfontein without consulting the organisers.
Upon arrival yesterday morning, athletes and coaches were met with shocking living conditions deemed unsuitable and far below acceptable standards.
Reacting swiftly, authorities recalled the team back to Rietfontein, where they are now being accommodated.
Jo – Ann Manuel , Director of Sport, expressed disappointment and frustration over the oversight. “We had no other choice but to recall the team. Those conditions were beyond human rights. We are interrogating the advance team as to why this was allowed to happen.”
Manuel said the ministry is now in communication with the ministry of education to address the poor state of Makalani Primary School. It’s truly unacceptable,” she said.
Meanwhile, Freddy Mwiya, Chief Administrator of the Namibia Sports Commission, further clarified that the misstep originated from information that NYC couldn’t cater meals for the athletes, which led to this unfortunate decision. “However, it was not done through the proper channels,” Mwiya explained. He added that a catering company will now also provide food for the team.
A coach from the Paralympic team, who asked not to be named, called the situation “deeply disheartening” and urged the Region 5 Games local organising committee to urgently tighten logistics and oversight.
The Region 5 Youth Games will bring together young athletes from Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and host Namibia across 12 sporting disciplines, attending the games.
– lmupetami@nepc.com.na