Commonwealth report submitted to the President

DIRECTOR of Sport Vetumbuavi Veii yesterday confirmed that Sports Minister John Mutorwa had submitted a report to President Hifikepunye Pohamba on allegations levelled against some members of Namibia’s Commonwealth team.

Pohamba earlier requested Mutorwa to give him a report on what had happened at the Games in Melbourne. The Namibian learnt last week that some Namibian boxers took linen and towels from the chalets at which they stayed and stripped the removable glass bathroom shelves.It was also alleged that some of the boxers emptied shower gel and shampoo dispensers into their water bottles on the day of their departure.The Games ended towards the end of last month.It was further reported that the boxing team begged for money when they were invited to a farm, while some sold their Namibian T-shirts for up to Australian $500.Namibian team officials dismissed allegations as “a misunderstanding” between the athletes and the Australian officials.The Namibian understands that the report to the President says that some of the items the boxers had “taken by mistake” were returned after a routine inspection was carried out before the Namibian delegation left Melbourne.The report claims that the issue “was so petty” that the chef de mission, Joan Smit, was not even aware of it.Smit has so far not commented on the matter, but officials who accompanied the team confirmed that the incidents took place.At this stage, it is not known what action will be taken.Before the allegations were reported in The Namibian, President Pohamba planned to host a reception for the medal winners at State House.The function was called off after the report was published.An official at State House told The Namibian yesterday that Mutorwa, as the Minister of Sport, would be informed what action the President wanted to take before it became public knowledge.Namibia’s light flyweight boxer Jafet Uutoni and pistol shooter Friedhelm Sack, who won gold and bronze medals at the Games respectively, were set to be compensated by Pohamba at a reception at State House after their return.It has become custom for athletes who perform exceptionally well at international competitions such as the Olympic and Commonwealth Games to be financially rewarded by the head of state.The Namibian learnt last week that some Namibian boxers took linen and towels from the chalets at which they stayed and stripped the removable glass bathroom shelves.It was also alleged that some of the boxers emptied shower gel and shampoo dispensers into their water bottles on the day of their departure.The Games ended towards the end of last month.It was further reported that the boxing team begged for money when they were invited to a farm, while some sold their Namibian T-shirts for up to Australian $500.Namibian team officials dismissed allegations as “a misunderstanding” between the athletes and the Australian officials.The Namibian understands that the report to the President says that some of the items the boxers had “taken by mistake” were returned after a routine inspection was carried out before the Namibian delegation left Melbourne.The report claims that the issue “was so petty” that the chef de mission, Joan Smit, was not even aware of it.Smit has so far not commented on the matter, but officials who accompanied the team confirmed that the incidents took place.At this stage, it is not known what action will be taken.Before the allegations were reported in The Namibian, President Pohamba planned to host a reception for the medal winners at State House.The function was called off after the report was published.An official at State House told The Namibian yesterday that Mutorwa, as the Minister of Sport, would be informed what action the President wanted to take before it became public knowledge.Namibia’s light flyweight boxer Jafet Uutoni and pistol shooter Friedhelm Sack, who won gold and bronze medals at the Games respectively, were set to be compensated by Pohamba at a reception at State House after their return.It has become custom for athletes who perform exceptionally well at international competitions such as the Olympic and Commonwealth Games to be financially rewarded by the head of state.