Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The MTC Namibia Netball Premier League will begin this weekend with 12 teams competing for the top spot by the end of the season.
The teams include Mighty Gunner, Eastern Chiefs, Afrocat, Namibian Navy, Wanderers, Tigers, Namibian Correctional Services, Extreme, Unam Ogongo, Cuca Tops, Otjozondjupa Nampol, and Unam Jaguars.
MTC has sponsored the league with N$2.9 million for this season.
Starting next year, players will be paid as part of efforts to professionalise the league.
At the league launch a few weeks ago, MTC spokesperson Tim Ekandjo said the goal is to make the league competitive and draw more players and stakeholders to the sport.
He said this will benefit the national team.
The league has adopted the theme “Combating Against Gender-Based Violence”.
The message will be shared through players’ kit designs throughout the season.
“This season, we wear purple ribbons as a symbol of peace, courage, survival, and honour. The colour purple represents the commitment to ending violence, and every time our athletes step onto the court, that ribbon will serve as a constant reminder of our collective dedication to creating a society where violence has no place.
As we embark on this season, let us not only cheer for victories in the game but also for the victory we will achieve as a nation: victory over violence, victory for peace, and victory for every woman and girl in Namibia. It is more than a game. Let us unite on and off the court to stand against gender-based violence,” said Netball Namibia Association president Juanitha Witbeen.
