Namibian athletes who recently showcased their talent at the recent Special Olympics World Summer Games in Germany, have expressed dismay over Special Olympics Namibia (SON) taking 40% of their prize money.
The athletes say SON has threatened to cut them off if they do not comply with this demand after every win.
Fimanekeni Hamutenya is among those affected. He secured two silver medals in the 1 500m and 800m track races during the June 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
Despite being awarded N$60 000, Hamutenya had to relinquish N$24 000 to the organisation to prevent potential expulsion, leaving him with only N$36 000.
“They asked for 40%, and then they said if I do not give it, I will be out of the Special Olympics organisation. I had to give to avoid being kicked out,” Hamutenya said.
“It is unfair, I won my money, and it is the money that I worked hard for. Now, I have to give it back to the organisation while I’m the one who won it.
“My car was damaged, and I thought that money would help me fix my car and take care of my family and myself. Now, it has been cut, and I can hardly do anything with the remaining amount of money.”
Another Special Olympics athlete, who prefers to remain anonymous, says they were escorted to the bank.
“They had to escort me to the bank to ensure that I transferred the money. I did not want to give them anything because it was my money.
“They called my mother and told her that if I do not transfer the money, they were going to make sure that I’m kicked out of the organisation. They had to come to my house and take me to the bank so that I could send them the money, I had no other choice,” the athlete said.
Special Olympics Namibia sports director Werner Jeffrey told The Namibian this week that their organisation requires athletes to contribute nearly half of their winnings as they are a non-profit organisation.
“According to my knowledge, there was a board resolution by the previous national director, deciding on the 40% contribution for development purposes. Special Olympics is a non-profit organisation, and these funds contribute to providing opportunities for other athletes,” Werner explained.
“The funds are a way of taking a percentage back and putting it back into the organisation for development purposes and also to give other athletes the same opportunity and even the same athletes when they go compete again for other games so that opportunities can be provided to them,” Werner said.
“That is the reason of taking the percentage. Our main purpose is to give these athletes opportunities and to make sure that they are taken care of.”
Special Olympics coach and athlete advocate Erikson Nghikufe expressed concerns about the 40% demand.
“Special Olympics Namibia is a non-governmental organisation and may not have sufficient funds, making it convenient for athletes to contribute,” Nghikufe remarked.
“However, I don’t think it’s fair to demand 40% – perhaps 10 or 20% is fair. I am not sure how they arrived at 40%, but in my opinion, a lesser percentage would be fair.”
Sport, youth and national service minister Agnes Tjongarero told The Namibian she was not aware of the Special Olympics rule.
“I am not aware of such a rule and I do not know where it is written. No, I really don’t know it. Contact the director of sports, maybe she might know.”
Special Olympics is a global organisation that serves athletes with intellectual disabilities, working with hundreds of thousands of volunteers and coaches each year. It provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
The activities give them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship.
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