SUITCASES are packed from top government officials, sport administrators, secretaries, families, friends and chommies, eish, are all ready for Rio, no worries.
Like born-frees enjoying freedom with no care and respect for liberation heroes and those that shed their blood for our freedom, in this case the athletes that have struggled on their own for years.
Nevertheless nobody but a movie can stop time and the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games are upon us. It’s time for history to be made after four years of hard work and sacrifices.
Sadly, today’s sport has become all about money. I think many of us used to enjoy sports much more when there was no money involved.
In my opinion, the standard of our major sports codes has dropped.
Imagine sport heroes like Ambrosius Five, Foresta “Let them Dance”, Nicodemus, the Biltong Boere, Frankie Fredericks, Abraham So-Oabed, Daniel Haitembu, Lazurus Kapolo – the list is long. But when I look at that list and remember names, I also remember that they played and ran for nothing but they competed with pride.
However the Olympics stands above all – at the World Championships or a Diamond League there is prize money but not at the Olympics. I am blessed to have marched into an Olympic Stadium a couple of times, thousands of spectators pay lots of money to get a seat and millions more are watching on TV. Mom, Dad and friends hoping to get a glimpse of you – this is what every sport person dreams about, the opportunity to be dressed in national attire and representing their country at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Four years of hard work and “this is it” competition leading to emotions all over, tears of joy and tears for failed targets.
The village – breathtaking! Here all mingle, world superstars all in the same place, you turn it’s Serena Williams, Neymar, Bolt, you name them, they all eat and sleep in the same place. The dining hall is open 24 hours a day with food from all over the world, hospitals, gyms etc.
These are memories one can never take away from athletes, from Frankie being the first to get a medal for a newborn nation and Johanna to get the first gold ever and who wants to bet she can’t get more? Johanna most probably received more rewards than Frank and I believe we still owe him and Reginald Benade – at least I hope one day they will be buried at Heroes Acre.
On the other hand I am still puzzled that Namibia has become a country where we have come to accept that wrong is right and right is wrong. Reading the words of Tjipee and seeing the athlete’s reality saddens me and amazingly just nobody cares. I have not seen any intervention apart from Athletics Namibia – everyone decided to turn a blind eye and the NNOC will most probably get away with murder.
I have just one wish – to be able to go to Tjipee and say, ‘here is the communication on black and white sent on this date that the All Africa Games or multi-sport won’t be considered. I just wonder what government will say the next time an athlete decides not to go to the All Africa Games as it’s a waste of time, which for me is an insult to our African Olympics.
In 2003 Christie van Wyk didn’t go to the All Africa Games in Nigeria and it nearly cost him his spot on the Olympic team to Athens 2004, but now in 2016 it’s not the case anymore. Tjipee is the only athlete that has qualified for the track and we are blocking her! Really?
Then reading the report and statement by the Deputy Minister, I truly wonder whose program it is. I have maximum respect for the Jamaicans who welcomed us and continue to treat us as even better than their own, but now we are literally insulting them.
There is an old saying that says “Rome was not built in one day”, and remember Namibia had nobody at the World Junior Championships in Poland last week.
As for the Jamaica Program, I understand the nation is hungry for success and another superstar, therefore athletes and coaches have to work extra harder. Jamaica won it’s first Olympic gold medal in 1948 through Sir Arthur Wint, maybe we think it’s Bolt, and we have a long way to go. Our poor athletes haven’t missed the African Championships on purpose, but now have to take the blame.
Therefore let’s put our full support behind the Olympians and Paralympians to represent our country with pride and whatever they do, let us be proud of them. Pierre Coubertin said “the most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning, but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.”
Let’s support our sportsmen and women in whatever way possible on twitter, Facebook, you name it, let’s install the brave spirit into them. Komesho!
Letu Hamhola
In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.
The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
