When former sprinter and renowned local sports enthusiast Operi Tjipuka and her husband Sydney founded the Operi and Sydney Children Foundation, the ultimate aim was to restore the dignity and dreams of young underprivileged athletes, and they are impressively remaining well on course.

The foundation has over the past few years donated spikes, training gear and sneakers to loads of underprivileged athletes, especially those representing their regions at various major national competitions. 

In 2019, the foundation came to the rescue of about 10 athletes who were set to represent Namibia at the Cossasa Athletics Championships in eSwatini but due to a lack of sneakers and basic training gear, their participation was in serious jeopardy.

Operi and Sydney, through their foundation and with the assistance of friends and family, managed to buy sneakers and gear for the stranded athletes and in the process, helped the young underprivileged athletes realise their dreams of representing the country at international level.

It was then and there that Operi and Sydney realised more needed to be done to help restore the dignity and dreams of disadvantaged young athletes. 

Their desire and love to see underprivileged athletes excel at the same level as their privileged peers, gave birth to the Operi and Sydney Children Foundation. The foundation has since assisted lots of young athletes achieve their dreams.

At Saturday’s third leg of Athletics Namibia Coca-Cola Grand Prix held at the Windhoek Independence stadium, the foundation again donated sneakers to over 40 young underprivileged athletes to help them participate in the ongoing Grand Prix and in other upcoming national events.

“Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 and all the restrictions that have been in place, we could not distribute shoes to all our chosen beneficiaries, and that’s why we decided to use this third leg of the Grand Prix to hand out the running shoes to these highly-talented but underprivileged kids. They need this kind of support,” said Operi.

On what drives her passion to uplift young Namibians through sport, she said being a former athlete herself, she understands how it feels competing without shoes or training without proper gear, and how that can disadvantage an athlete.

“I know how it feels to compete without shoes and all necessary equipment, so that’s why we want to help all these talented athletes. We do not want them to be worried about anything but to focus on their talent. If we can do that, then it would mean all these kids will put their minds to what they should focus on, which is improving their skills. I too received assistance from Frank Fredericks when I was competing, and that helped make my life easier. Since then, I have decided to do the same for other young people,” she added.

Since they started the foundation, they have distributed close to 70 running shoes to less-privileged athletes through assistance from friends and family. 

“A lot of children have benefited from this initiative. In the future and with more assistance, we would like to help children with scholarships, including getting some of them into decent schools. There is so much talent out there that needs to be taken good care of, and that’s what we are here to do.”

One of the recipients at Saturday’s handover, Isabela Muyewu from Tumela Athletic Club has been running for two years without shoes. 

“I feel good to have received new running shoes that I can now use for all my races,” she told New Era Sport.

Another recipient Paulina Akunda of Ohangwena Nampol Athletic Club is grateful for having received a pair of running shoes, saying it is the beginning of a new journey for her in terms of performance. 

“These shoes will help me so much when running and also with my overall performance. Running without shoes at these events is always a challenge, especially on these hard surfaces. I’m now ready to do my best,” she added.

- mkambukwe@nepc.com.na