Sports – Page 3 – Windhoek Observer

05 Aug

Wantenaar sets new national swimming record

Featured, Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibian swimmer Ronan Wantenaar has set a new national record in the 50 m breaststroke, clocking 26.85 seconds at the ongoing 2025 World Aquatic Championship in Singapore. He broke his previous national record of 27.05 seconds. Namibia Aquatic Sports Federation president Riaan Steyn congratulated Wantenaar, saying his performance put Namibia on the international swimming map. “Ronan Wantenaar has made a major splash in the world of competitive swimming by setting a new national record in the 50 m breaststroke at the 2025 World Aquatic Championships in Singapore. Currently ranked 10th in the world for the 50m breaststroke, Wantenaar’s…

04 Aug

President calls for consistent sports funding

Featured, Sportssports funding

Erasmus Shalihaxwe President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged the business community to provide long-term support to national sports teams for national sports teams instead of one-off donations. She made the appeal on Saturday evening during a fundraising gala dinner for the Brave Warriors, the national football team. “The support for national teams should not only be a one-off but a joint commitment to ensure Namibia excels on all platforms. The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), in particular, faces challenges that require consistent effort, unwavering dedication, and substantial resources, she stated. The Brave Warriors are four matches away from a possible…

31 Jul

Stars replace Tanzanian club with Maniema Union

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Erasmus Shalihaxwe African Stars Football Club, reigning Namibia Premier League champions, will host a four-team pre-season tournament at Independence Stadium in Windhoek from 24 to 26 August 2025. The tournament will prepare the club for its participation in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League. On Thursday, African Stars announced that Young African Football Club from Tanzania had withdrawn from the tournament and will be replaced by AS Maniema Union from the Democratic Republic of Congo. “African Stars FC would like to inform our fans and stakeholders that Young Africans FC from Tanzania has withdrawn from the upcoming Pre-Season…

31 Jul

De Sousa wins gold for Namibia in Algeria

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibian swimmer Victoria de Sousa won a gold medal for Namibia in the 100m freestyle at the African Schools Games in Algeria on Wednesday. Earlier in the week, she secured a bronze medal in the 50m freestyle and followed it up with a silver in the 400m individual medley, making her one of the top-performing athletes at the event. Namibia Aquatics Sports Federation president Riaan Steyn praised her success. “Beating Egypt and Algeria at the African School Games. What a performance from our rising star; let’s celebrate this golden moment for Team Namibia,” he said. Rodney Feris and…

31 Jul

Bucks Buccaneers kick off preseason training

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibia Premier League side Bucks Buccaneers Football Club will begin their preseason training camp on Monday ahead of the 2025/2026 season. The Katutura-based club confirmed that training will be held at two venues. Monday’s session is scheduled for 18h00 at Sam Nujoma Stadium, followed by a Tuesday session at Windhoek Technical High School at 17h00. The schedule returns to Sam Nujoma Stadium on Wednesday at 18h00, with Thursday’s session again at Windhoek Technical High School at 17h00. “All Bucks Buccaneers players are urged to attend all training sessions with full commitment and dedication. Your participation is crucial as…

29 Jul

NPFL Forum charts new direction for football

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibia Football Association (NFA) and the Namibia Premier Football League (NPFL) have reaffirmed their commitment to establishing a self-managed top-tier league. This was confirmed at the NPFL Chairmen’s Forum held at Soccer House over the weekend. NFA interim secretary general Cassius Moetie announced on Tuesday that clubs discussed the transformation of the men’s premier league. A key outcome was the unanimous endorsement of three clubs promoted from the nationwide first division to the NPFL. The new clubs joining the 2025/26 season are Eleven Arrows Football Club from Walvis Bay, Life Fighters Football Club from Otjiwarongo, and Rundu…

29 Jul

Thirty schools compete in 2025 Netball League

Sports

Staff Writer Thirty public and private schools from eight regions are competing in the 2025 Capricorn Schools Netball League, which is heading into its national playoffs this August. A total of 85 teams from Khomas, //Kharas, Hardap, Otjozondjupa, Kunene, Oshikoto, Omaheke, and Erongo regions are participating in the league. The competition, now in its ninth year, is sponsored by Capricorn Group and supported by the Namibia Schools Sport Union (NSSU). It includes players from under-12 to under-19 age groups and aims to promote growth, teamwork, and discipline through sport. “The Capricorn Schools Netball League is more than a series of…

29 Jul

Welwitschias prepare for Dubai World Cup qualifier

Sports

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…

28 Jul

Tjihozu Combined School crowned Go Hard or Go Home champions

Featured, SportsTjihozu 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…

28 Jul

Historic first for Namibian referee at WAFCON final

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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…