By Michael Uugwanga

Namibia’s special olympic legend, Ruben //Gowaseb says financial difficulties could force him to sell his two Special Olympic gold medal wins with the aim of starting his own boot camp.
 

//Gowaseb, won his first half marathon gold medal in Los Angeles, USA, in 2015 before adding another gold medal in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2019, despite great success in sport internationally he has been struggling financially to make ends meet.
 

//Gowaseb (44), currently lives with his mother and close relatives, in Katutura’s Soweto location. He is currently a volunteer coach at the Katutura Youth Complex, training up and coming marathon athletes.
 

The past few years, //Gowaseb has been working as a cleaner at the office of Athletics Namibia for a small income, however a leadership change early this year saw him being left on the streets with no employment. 
“I am a volunteer now.  We broke up with Athletics Namibia since Erwin Naimhwaka is no longer president of there and he was the only one assisting me financially. Currently, I depend on a government grant of N$1600 per month,” said //Gowaseb.
Speaking to Confidente recently on selling the medals, he explained: “I want to rent them out first and see. I do not know if it is allowed to rent them out but I want to make money.”
 

The 2019 competition in Abu Dhabi was his last international competition and as it stands, he does not have a chance to represent the country in future international competitions due to his age, with Special Olympic Namibia focusing more giving younger athletes a chance.
 

In 2024, //Gowaseb could not defend his title, four years after winning it due to his advance age.
“I am on the plan to go back to Special Olympic Namibia and ask them what the way is for me. What pains me is that the previous leadership did not allow me to defend my title in Germany. I did not retire yet.”