Sports

Welwitschias prepare for Dubai World Cup qualifier 

Welwitschias prepare for Dubai World Cup qualifier 

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The national rugby team, the Welwitschias, are preparaing  for the repechage tournament in Dubai, where they aim to qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.  Head coach Jacques Burger made the commitment after Namibia's dominant 86-29 victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Kampala, Uganda.  The win secured Namibia's place in the repechage tournament, set for November 2025. The winner will earn a spot in the World Cup. TThe tournament will feature four teams from different continents: Belgium (Europe), Brazil (South America), Canada (North America), and Namibia (Africa).  Burger stressed the importance of thorough preparation ahead of…
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Tjihozu Combined School crowned Go Hard or Go Home champions

Tjihozu Combined School crowned Go Hard or Go Home champions

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Tjihozu Combined School from the Kunene region was crowned champions in the men’s football category of the Go Hard or Go Home Tournament last week. Go Hard or Go Home sports director Rauna Haulu said the 2025 tournament aimed to unite young people through sports and build a sense of community.  “The 2025 tournament celebrated youthful energy, athleticism, and unity – bringing together learners from various schools in friendly but fierce competition. As we drive toward the year’s end, the atmosphere in our sports community is filled with excitement and gratitude. Following the overwhelming success of the Go…
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Historic first for Namibian referee at WAFCON final

Historic first for Namibian referee at WAFCON final

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibia Football Association (NFA) president Robert Shimooshili has praised Namibian referee Twanyanyukwa Antsino for making history as the first Namibian to officiate the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final. Antsino officiated the match between Nigeria and Morocco on Saturday night. In a statement issued on Sunday, Shimooshili described the occasion as an achievement for Antsino, the NFA, and the nation.  "Antsino's selection to officiate the WAFCON final is a testament to her dedication, skill, and unwavering commitment to excellence," he said. Shimooshili said her role in the final brings pride to both herself and the association and…
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Govt accused of misrepresenting stadium progress in NDP6

Govt accused of misrepresenting stadium progress in NDP6

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Senior sports administrators in the Ohangwena region have rejected claims in the newly launched  Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) that the Eenhana Sports Stadium is complete.  They say the facility is far from finished. An administrator, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said he recently visited the site and found that only the pavilion appears complete.  “I passed by the stadium a week ago. There is still a lot that needs to be done. I only saw people cleaning. The pavilion might be done, but everything else is far from complete,” he said. He…
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NNOC appoints Parker as CEO 

NNOC appoints Parker as CEO 

Erasmus Shaliahxwe The Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) and Commonwealth Games Association has appointed Anri Parker as its new chief executive officer, effective 1 September 2025. NNOC president Ndeulipula Hamutumwa announced the appointment on Wednesday.  He said Parker has experience in sports administration and has worked on organising sporting events, athlete development, and international partnerships. "As a respected figure in Namibian sports, Parker has a proven track record of fostering athlete development and promoting the Olympic and Commonwealth Games values," Hamutumwa said.  He added that her background in organising high-profile sporting events has shown strong leadership in governance, community engagement,…
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Nedbank Citi Dash returns with new routes 

Nedbank Citi Dash returns with new routes 

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Nedbank Citi Dash is back for its fifth edition, with this year’s race set for 6 and 7 September 2025 at a new venue, the Vegkop Stadium at Windhoek High School. Speaking at the official launch on Wednesday at the Nedbank Campus in Windhoek, Nedbank Namibia chief commercial officer JG van Graan said the event has been upgraded to match international standards.  “We continue to innovate and have upgraded the race to keep up with international running trends. These include the new venue at WHS Vegkop Stadium, revamped 5km and 10km routes through the heart of Windhoek,…
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Local coaches can take us to the World Cup – NRU

Local coaches can take us to the World Cup – NRU

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) president Petrie Theron says there is no need to appoint a foreign coach for the national team to qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Theron made the remarks on Tuesday during a press conference in Windhoek while giving updates on the Welwitschias’ World Cup qualifying campaign currently underway in Kampala, Uganda. Namibia failed to secure automatic qualification after a 28–30 loss to Zimbabwe in the Rugby Africa Cup last Saturday.  This marked the first time since 1999 that Namibia has failed to qualify directly for the World Cup. This Saturday, the Welwitschias will…
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Heita eyes Namibia’s fifth world boxing title

Heita eyes Namibia’s fifth world boxing title

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Boxer Mateus Heita says he is ready to become the fifth Namibian boxer to win a world title. The 27-year-old is set to face American Bruce Carrington this Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York for the WBC interim world featherweight title.  Heita has an undefeated professional record of 14 wins, including nine knockouts. Speaking from the gym on Tuesday, Heita said he is not intimidated by his opponent. “I will be the number five world champion in Namibia. I am not a contender… Come Saturday night, I will be the champion; I will bring the title…
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Annual sport awards return with expanded categories

Annual sport awards return with expanded categories

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibia Sport Commission (NSC) on Monday launched the 2025 edition of the Namibia Annual Sport Awards to honour athletes, coaches, administrators, and institutions across various sport codes. Speaking at the launch, chief administrator Freddy Mwiya said the victories of Namibian athletes have built a legacy rooted in national pride.  He said the celebration of sport is supported by the Namibia Sport Act, which guides the promotion, development, and recognition of sporting talent in the country. “For 2025, we are pleased to announce that the nomination application system will open on Friday, 25 July 2025,” said Mwiya. He…
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Welwitschias scrum for second chance at World Cup

Welwitschias scrum for second chance at World Cup

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Welwitschias, the national rugby team, are determined to regroup and refocus following their loss to Zimbabwe in the Rugby Africa Cup final on Saturday. The tightly contested match ended 30–28 in favour of Zimbabwe in Kampala, Uganda.  The win secured Zimbabwe a spot at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, marking their first qualification in 34 years. Namibia, which has featured in every Rugby World Cup since 1999, now risks missing out for the first time since 1996.  However, the team still has a chance to qualify through the intercontinental repechage tournament. Following the loss, the Namibia Rugby…
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