Ill-treatment rocks De Sousa

Ill-treatment rocks De SousaMother rages on team manager A concerned parent has decided to withdraw her daughter from international athletics events following allegations of ill treatment. Complaints have surfaced that one of Namibia’s athletes, Sade de Sousa, was allegedly unfairly treated by her team manager at the recent 2017 AAF World Youth Championships in Kenya.

It is alleged that team manager Leonie van Rensburg neglected the athlete in Nairobi at the competition which ended over the weekend.

Namibian Sun is in possession of a letter directed to Athletics Namibia president, Erwin Naimhwaka, over the events that transpired in Nairobi.

In the letter, the complainant (Brenda Bezuidenhoudt) whom this newspaper can confirm is the victim’s mother threatens to withdraw her daughter from taking part in any international events because of what her daughter allegedly went through.

“Erwin, I’m writing this mail in total dismay on what transpired on the trip to Kenya and the treatment Sade Received from Leonie.

“From the first day of the events, she told me that she feels she’s being side-lined by Leonie,” the letter reads.

The letter further reads that the athlete was allegedly left out in the rain by her team manager, while the other athletes went with the team manager.

It is also alleged that the team manager was reluctant to assist the athlete when she needed medical treatment during the competition.

“The main reason for me going with [Sade] to Nairobi was in the absence of her coach and the fact that she is a girl.

“I shudder at the mere thought had I not been there, what would have happened to my child.

“With all due respect, I herewith formally withdraw Sade from any future national athletics events outside the country where Leonie is involved in whatever country,” writes Bezuidenhoudt.

She further demanded that Van Rensburg publicly defends herself from the criticisms.

Van Rensburg however maintained that she was unshaken by the allegations made by De Sousa’s mother.

She insists that the letter lacks facts and will therefore not comment on anything at the moment.

“I know that there are more letters going to come from various parents and that is why I am not going to comment on these things.

“I have been a team manager for so many years and I know these things always come up,” Bezuidenhoudt reiterated.

Naimhwaka confirmed that he had received the letter from Bezuidenhoudt.

He could not however shed more light on what actions they are going to take, stating that he just received the letter yesterday.

“All I can do now will be to table the letter with the board and then we can deliberate on it,” Naimhwaka said.

The athlete only managed to finish sixth in the 100-metter semi-finals after clocking 12/03 seconds at the youth games.

Unfair treatment allegations about the youngster are not new and complaints were also voiced following her exclusion to be part of the commonwealth team even regardless of the fact that she has been performing well this year.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa