Sport stars with disabilities recognised 

NDCN honours top athletes with disabilities

The National Disability Council of Namibia (NDCN) honoured its top-performing athletes and best-performing sports team at an awards ceremony held at the Lüderitz Waterfront Auditorium on Thursday.

Selma Doeses received the Best Sportswoman with a Disability award, while Petro Kooper was named Best Sportsman with a Disability. The Dagbreek Running Team received the Best Sports Team of Persons with Disabilities award. Doeses and Kooper each pocketed N$5,000, while the Dagbreek Running Team received N$30,000.

Doeses, who has an intellectual disability, was selected to represent Namibia at international Special Olympics competitions. She consistently achieved podium finishes in national races, including victories in the NamibRe Windhoek City Run and strong performances in major events such as the Bank Windhoek Red Run and the NBC Windhoek National Marathon.

Her success attracted sponsorship from Standard Bank, which provided her with professional running equipment. Her achievements have challenged stereotypes about women with disabilities and inspired others to pursue their goals. Beyond sport, she has become a symbol of empowerment and hope for learners with disabilities at Dagbreek Resource School.

Kooper was also selected to represent Namibia at international Special Olympics competitions. He excelled in mainstream road-running events and achieved several podium finishes against able-bodied competitors.

His performances earned him sponsorship support and helped establish athletes with intellectual disabilities as active participants in mainstream sport. Among his achievements were a second-place finish at the Henties Visfees National Marathon and third-place finishes at the NBC Windhoek National Marathon, the Bank Windhoek Red Run and the Sanlam Allianz Coastal Marathon.

Kooper competed in his first mainstream 10km race at the Vivo Energy Windhoek Marathon, completing the event in 49 minutes and 10 seconds.

The Dagbreek Running Team, which consists of learners with intellectual disabilities, made history by successfully competing in 10 mainstream road races across Namibia.

The team became the country's first sustained mainstream road-running team for athletes with intellectual disabilities and achieved multiple podium finishes at events including the IUM Run, the NBC Windhoek National Marathon, the Bank Windhoek Red Run, the Henties Visfees Marathon, the NamibRe Windhoek City Run and the Bachmus Coastal Marathon.

The team also organised Namibia's first marathon for persons with intellectual disabilities. The event attracted 500 learners and 1,300 community participants.

Through its efforts, the team has helped increase visibility, inclusion and opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Vice President Lucia Witbooi, who presented the awards, congratulated the winners.

"You are the bedrock of our national pride. You have refused to let structural, environmental or social barriers define the boundaries of your destiny. Your achievements are nothing short of remarkable.

"We see our extraordinary athletes with disabilities raising the Namibian flag on international stages. You show our nation what it means to pursue excellence with focus, determination and resilience," Witbooi said.

She said the award recipients demonstrate to every Namibian child that no goal is beyond reach.

"Your contributions extend far beyond inspiration. You are changing our economy. You are starting businesses, employing fellow citizens and providing leadership within your communities.

"Thank you for your courage, your brilliance and your unwavering commitment to rewriting the narrative of what is possible. Namibia sees you, Namibia honours you and Namibia stands with you," the vice president said.