NPC to host trials for guide runners
Paralympic athletics
The Namibia Paralympic Committee (NPC) will host trials for guide runners at the end of March.
NPC secretary-general and coach, Michael Hamukwaya, told Nampa the NPC lacks guides to assist blind or visual impaired athletes.
Hamukwaya said the guides used during the Paralympic Games held in Brazil last year went back to train at their respective athletics clubs and it has now become difficult to find guides.
The guides who assisted last year were Andre Oberholser who ran with Moses Tobias (T11); Sem Simanda who guided gold medallist Ananias Shikongo (T11) in the 400 metre race; Even Tjiviju who also guided Shikongo in 100m and 200m; and David Ndeilenga who assisted Lahja Ishitile (T11).
Shikongo won a gold medal and two bronze medals, while Johannes Nambala (T13) won two silver medals. Lahja Ishitile has also won medals at the African and Commonwealth Games.
Guides are compulsory in the T11 class and optional in T12. T11 athletes are nearly or totally blind.
In track events, a guide runs along an athlete, shouts instructions and encourage the athlete from the start to the finish line. They are connected through a tether, which must be made of non-stretch material, tied around the wrists or held between their fingers.
Guides are also used in long jump, triathlon, cycling, football, and equestrian sports.
In running disciplines, the guide should be similar in height to the athlete so they will be able to match stride patterns as well as synchronising arm and leg movements. A guide must be able to keep pace and have the potential to run faster than the athlete.
Guides are also tested during doping control, especially when his/her athlete breaks world records.
Since the Paralympics in London 2012, guides who assist their athletes to a place on the podium have also been receiving medals.
The NPC plans to work with guides on a four-year cycle.
“Other countries have all the funding to take athletes and guides to a high performance centre to train together, but in our case, we do not have the funds,” said Hamukwaya.
He said the two people have to understand each other well, physically and mentally. It is very important the guide should adjust to the athlete and make him/her feel as comfortable as possible.
“We want to avoid a situation where we have guides who only join the team when we are preparing for competitions and are not around throughout the year for the training sessions.”
Hamukwaya said the urgency of this matter will be addressed after the NPC's return from Dubai, where Shikongo and Nambala will compete at the International Paralympics Committee Athletics Grand Prix from 20 to 23 March.
The athletes and a team of officials will leave for the United Arab Emirates today. - Nampa
NPC secretary-general and coach, Michael Hamukwaya, told Nampa the NPC lacks guides to assist blind or visual impaired athletes.
Hamukwaya said the guides used during the Paralympic Games held in Brazil last year went back to train at their respective athletics clubs and it has now become difficult to find guides.
The guides who assisted last year were Andre Oberholser who ran with Moses Tobias (T11); Sem Simanda who guided gold medallist Ananias Shikongo (T11) in the 400 metre race; Even Tjiviju who also guided Shikongo in 100m and 200m; and David Ndeilenga who assisted Lahja Ishitile (T11).
Shikongo won a gold medal and two bronze medals, while Johannes Nambala (T13) won two silver medals. Lahja Ishitile has also won medals at the African and Commonwealth Games.
Guides are compulsory in the T11 class and optional in T12. T11 athletes are nearly or totally blind.
In track events, a guide runs along an athlete, shouts instructions and encourage the athlete from the start to the finish line. They are connected through a tether, which must be made of non-stretch material, tied around the wrists or held between their fingers.
Guides are also used in long jump, triathlon, cycling, football, and equestrian sports.
In running disciplines, the guide should be similar in height to the athlete so they will be able to match stride patterns as well as synchronising arm and leg movements. A guide must be able to keep pace and have the potential to run faster than the athlete.
Guides are also tested during doping control, especially when his/her athlete breaks world records.
Since the Paralympics in London 2012, guides who assist their athletes to a place on the podium have also been receiving medals.
The NPC plans to work with guides on a four-year cycle.
“Other countries have all the funding to take athletes and guides to a high performance centre to train together, but in our case, we do not have the funds,” said Hamukwaya.
He said the two people have to understand each other well, physically and mentally. It is very important the guide should adjust to the athlete and make him/her feel as comfortable as possible.
“We want to avoid a situation where we have guides who only join the team when we are preparing for competitions and are not around throughout the year for the training sessions.”
Hamukwaya said the urgency of this matter will be addressed after the NPC's return from Dubai, where Shikongo and Nambala will compete at the International Paralympics Committee Athletics Grand Prix from 20 to 23 March.
The athletes and a team of officials will leave for the United Arab Emirates today. - Nampa
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