As the World Para Athletics Championships drew to a close, the National Paralympic Committee of Namibia, not only returned home with 3 silver medals, but also with three new racing wheelchairs!

IWAS CEO, Charmaine Hooper surprised NPC Namibia’s Secretary-General, Michael Hamukwaya with the donation of three racing wheelchairs during a handover at the Athletes’ Village.

The aim of the donation is to increase opportunities available to athletes in Namibia but also an opportunity to grow wheelchair racing in Africa.

The donation will double the racing wheelchairs available to the Namibian NPC and the Secretary General, Michael Hamukwaya is now keen to include wheelchair racing at National Championships. "It is hoped the increase in equipment will encourage athletes to get involved in sport with potential for competing at the 2024 Paralympic Games – or even earlier at the IWAS World Games in December this year."

IWAS’ Charmaine Hooper said,  “It is great to know these chairs will not just gather dust. Namibia is an active Nation within the Paralympic sport Movement and we are excited to see how the donation can increase the sporting opportunities for Namibian athletes.”

Through the efforts of Elisa Ostet, Athletes Manager of the Namibian Paralympic athletes Shikongo and Nambala, and voluntary Social Media Reporter for the NPC, Namibia became an IWAS Developing Member. Elisa Ostet said, “I knew about Hamukwaya’s struggles developing para sport in Namibia. After I met him at the Rio2016 Paralympics, I’m always looking for possibilities to help him improve the sports environment for those with impairments in Namibia. I believe this collaboration with IWAS will help the NPC grow the positive impact sport can have on those with an impairment.”

IWAS CEO said, “We are very happy to welcome the Namibian Paralympic Committee to the IWAS Membership. We look forward to working closely with them in the coming years and welcoming their athletes to IWAS events in the future.”

See the moment IWAS suprised representatives of the NPC here!;