Sem Shimanda, the guide runner of 2020 Paralympic Games silver medallist Ananias Shikongo, has said athletes who compete as guides are given little recognition when the athletes are rewarded or celebrated.

Shimanda, who won a silver medal while guiding T11 athlete Ananias Shikongo in the T11 400 metre (m) race at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, said this on Monday during the handing over of prize money by MTC to Paralympic athletes.

“In 2016, Ananias and I won a bronze medal in the T11 400m at the Rio Paralympic Games in Brazil but when we got home, only the athlete was rewarded and praised but as guides, we are sometimes forgotten,” he said.

Shimanda, who now holds a bronze and silver medal from the 2016 and 2020 Paralympic Games, thanked MTC for recognising him with N.dollars 50 000 for guiding Shikongo to a silver medal in Tokyo, Japan.

“When we came from Brazil, we were not recognised as guides. In events like T11, athletes cannot run alone because they always need the assistance of a guide. I am therefore very proud of the recognition that MTC has given me as a guide and I hope Namibians will learn from this,” he stated.

Speaking at the same occasion his coach Letu Hamhola said guides represent the bigger Paralympic community.

“These guides are national athletes that compete in their own competitions and they have a tougher job to be made to run as guides. You cannot detach a completely blind athlete like Shikongo from his guide as they are their eyes. Therefore, it’s important for all Namibians to know what role these guys play and should be rewarded just like they are rewarding athletes they are guiding,” he said.

Meanwhile Namibia Paralympic Committee Secretary General Michael Hamukwaya told this agency on Tuesday that MTC’s recognition of guides is the answer to his long-time wish.

“I have always called on corporate Namibia to see the importance of having guide runners because without them, we will not compete in events that have completely blind athletes. I hope going forward guide runners will also be rewarded as this will motivate more athletes to become guides,” he said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency