Paralympic Games kick off in RioThe 2016 Paralympic Games were officially opened on Wednesday at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The major international multi-sport event involves athletes with a range of disabilities and is governed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
A total of 154 countries with about 4 000 athletes are participating in this year’s Paralympic Games from 7 to 18 September. Athletes are competing in 23 sports codes and Namibia is represented by nine athletes in athletics, swimming and powerlifting.
Athletes representing Namibia in Brazil are Ananias Shikongo, Elias Ndimulunde, Johannes Nambala, Aloysius Martin, Tobias Moses, Johanna Benson, and Lahja Ishitile, who will compete in track and field events.
The guides are David Ndeilenga, Andre Oberholster, Sem Simanda and Even Tjiuju.
Athletes Ruben Soroseb (powerlifting) and Gideon Nasilowski (swimming) are also part of the team.
Speaking to Nampa on Wednesday, Namibia’s flag bearer and 2012 London Paralympic Games gold and silver medallist Johanna Benson said she was not promising any silverware but would do her best to make her country proud with her performance.
Namibia’s track-and-field athletes started competing yesterday.
Lahja Ishitile qualified for the women’s 100 metres T11 semi-finals as she was one of the fastest losers .
Aloysius was due to compete in the men’s T12 400m round one while Johannes Nambala was due to compete in the men’s T13 100m round one at midnight Namibian time.
Benson was the last one to compete on the day in the women’s T37 100m round one.
Team Namibia returned with two medals - one gold and one silver from the 2012 Paralympic Games held in London. -Nampa
HESRON KAPANGA