Sports – Page 26 – Windhoek Observer

20 Oct

Talking sport with Dimitri Bittler

Sports

Sports Facilities Should Be a Ticking Box for Local Authorities’ Status In Namibia, the lack of adequate sports facilities across many towns and local authorities has become a growing concern. As our communities strive for better health, youth engagement, and social cohesion, the government needs to make sports infrastructure a key benchmark for local authority recognition. By doing so, we can ensure that every town, council, and municipality prioritizes community well-being through the development and maintenance of sports facilities. At present, the criteria used to recognize and assess local authorities rarely take into account the availability or quality of sports…

13 Oct

Amalgamated sports club targets long-term success

Featured, SportsAthletic Club Football Academy, Julinho Athletic Football Club

Martin Endjala The Julinho Athletic Football Club is determined to become a formidable competitor in all competitions after the amalgamation of three sports clubs. To form the new club, Julinho Sporting, Girls and Goals, as well as Athletic Club Football Academy merged last month. The new club will henceforth be known as Julihno Athletic Football Club. According to the club chairperson, Miguel Hamutenya, the merger signifies a move in the right direction of becoming title challengers in the coming seasons. On Friday, Hamutenya told the Windhoek Observer that they would not rush things. “We take it one step at a…

10 Oct

Talking sports with Dimitri Bittler

Featured, Opinions, Sports

Bridging the Gap In the realm of sports development in Namibia, the collaboration between the Namibia Schools Sports Union (NSSU) and various sports federations is paramount. As schools serve as the foundational stage for nurturing young talent, it is essential to establish robust partnerships that bridge the gap between school leagues and national federations. This synergy will not only enhance the quality of sports education but also ensure a seamless transition for athletes from school to higher levels of competition. The NSSU plays a vital role in promoting sports at the grassroots level, organizing inter-school competitions, and identifying talent among…

10 Oct

3rd CAF African schools football championship | COSAFA kicks off at Walvis Bay

Sports

The CAF African Schools Football Championship | COSAFA Qualifier for the 2024/25 season kicked off in Walvis Way today and ends on Sunday (13 October). Eight boys and girls U15 teams from Angola, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, hosts Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe will battle for a single place at the continental finals. The eight sides have been split into two pools, each containing four teams, with the boys’ and girls’ competition mirrored and fixtures running concurrently at the Jan Wilken Stadium. COSAFA spokesperson Lynda Greeff explained that the top two teams in each pool advance to the semifinals, and…

07 Oct

Khomas Region Netball League season concludes with Khomas Nampol crowned champions

Sports

The Khomas Region Netball League came to a thrilling close on Saturday at the Wanderers Sports Ground, with Khomas Nampol Netball Club emerging as the Super 10 champions for the 2024 season. Final Standings: Super 10: Khomas Nampol Netball Club Namibian Correctional Services Netball Club Wanderers Netball Club 1st Division: Afrocat Lions (Promoted to Super 10) UNAM Jaguars (Promoted to Super 10) Trustco United Netball Club 2nd Division: Zebra Force Netball Club (Promoted to 1st Division) Tigers Netball Club (Promoted to 1st Division) Dimitri Bittler, Chairperson of the Khomas Region Netball League, confirmed that NUST A Netball Team has been…

01 Oct

Young Warriors eliminated from TotalEnergies CAF U20 2025 | COSAFA Qualifier

SportsTotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025

Hilarius Hamutenya Namibia’s Young Warriors have been knocked out of the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025 | COSAFA Qualifier after a 2-1 defeat against Zambia in Maputo, Mozambique, on Tuesday. Zambia opened the scoring just before halftime and doubled their lead in the 60th minute. Nineteen-year-old Engilio Gaogoseb pulled one back for Namibia with a goal in the 64th minute, but it wasn't enough to change the outcome. This marks the Young Warriors' second loss in the competition, following a narrow 1-0 defeat against Angola. So far, Angola, along with Zambia and Zimbabwe, have advanced to the…

29 Sep

Netball Namibia honours its former presidents

SportsRebekka Goagoses

Ester Mbathera Netball Namibia has awarded honorary membership to its former presidents, recognising their invaluable contributions to the sport's growth in the country. Federation president, Rebekka Goagoses announced this during the conclusion of the MTC Premier League in Otjiwarongo on Sunday. “Recently, at our annual general meeting held in Ongwediva, we took significant steps to honour those who have paved the way for Namibian netball. We awarded honorary membership to former presidents Agnes Tjongarero, Carol Garoes, Lydia Kandetu, Lydia Mutenda, and former Vice President Isadore Nell. Their contributions laid the foundation for the growth we celebrate today, and we owe…

25 Sep

Oshana netball players forced to fund own league

SportsOshana Netball Association

Hilarius Hamutenya Netball in the Oshana region is grappling with financial difficulties due to a lack of sponsorship, according to Oshana Netball Association chairperson, Foibe Neliwa. “We are facing big challenges, and we currently have a committee where every member contributes N$100 to support netball. Unfortunately, we do not have enough sponsors to assist us,” Neliwa stated. Joleni Shipopyeni, the goal shooter for Afrocat Lions Oshana, reflected on her journey in netball, which began in Ongudi village in the Omungwelume-Ongenga constituency. Her exposure to the sport grew during her time at Gabriel Taapopi Senior Secondary School in 2003-2004, where she…

24 Sep

Long-distance legend Helalia Johannes bows out of major competitions

Featured, SportsHelalia Johannes

Hilarius Hamutenya Long-distance runner Helalia Johannes said she will no longer participate in major events such as the World Championship, Commonwealth Games or the Olympic Games. She told the Windhoek Observer newspaper on Tuesday. “I am an old person now, and the competition level is high compared to my level and age,” she said. The 44-year-old member of the Namibia Defence Force said she will be focussing on doing exercises for flexibility. “I will only continue doing the flexibility training and sports activities for my health and lifestyle,” she said. According to Johannes, she likes trying her best in sports,…

23 Sep

Omungwelume Sports Club working on developing a stadium

Sports

Hilarius Hamutenya The Katunanghee Football Club is organising a youth tournament to help raise funds to develop sports facilities in the village of Omungwelume in the Ohangwena region. The event is slated for December. The club’s co-founder, Ndatipo Shomongula, said they came up with the idea to attract sponsorship. “We don't have enough financial support. I tried to ask many business owners for assistance to help us with funds, but no one helped me,” said Shomongula. He added that he bought the land in January 2018 with the idea of building facilities for basketball, volleyball, and soccer. He said that…