Let''s welcome our stars - HasebNamibia’s Paralympic athletes will arrive back in the country tonight and fans are urged to turn up in large numbers at the airport. Paralympic athletes due to touch down tonight The Namibia Sports Commission’s (NSC) acting chief administrator, Walter Haseb, has called on the public to gather at the airport to welcome home the Paralympic team.The athletes and the rest of the delegation are expected to land at Hosea Kutako International Airport at 21:30 today.
Haseb said the team’s return is historic for Namibia, since they are bringing home five medals.
“I am calling on the nation to go out and gather at the airport and welcome back our stars,” he said.
At the time of going to press, the NSC was still negotiating free transport for fans to the airport.
If the discussions are successful, details of the transport arrangements will be communicated during the day.
Haseb said those who are unable to make it to the airport will have a chance to meet the athletes in Windhoek on Thursday.
The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Alfred Ilukena, will officially welcome the team at the airport tonight.
The programme will continue at 09:00 on Thursday with a parade from the Snyman Circle down Independence Avenue to the UN Plaza in Katutura.
Thursday’s event will be graced by the deputy sport minister, Agnes Tjongarero, while the NSC chairperson will also address the team.
The Ministry of Disability Affairs, NamPower, the head of the Paralympic Games delegation and medallists Ananias Shikongo and Johannes Nambala will also speak at the event.
Namibia ended eighth out of more than 40 African countries that participated in the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Namibia won five medals, beating the country’s previous record of three medals.
Johannes Nambala and Ananias Shikongo collectively won five medals.
Nambala won two silvers in the men’s T13 100m and 400m, while Shikongo won gold and two bronze medals in the men’s T11 100m, 200m and 400m.
In the overall world rankings, Team Namibia finished 53rd in the team standings but 47th in the medal standings from the 159 countries that participated.
Nine athletes represented Namibia at this year’s Games in athletics, swimming and powerlifting.
KAINO NGHITONGO