WINDHOEK – The Windhoek Independence Stadium will be a hive of activity when the maiden edition of the Hockey 5’s Challenge in Africa gets underway in earnest early next month.
Hockey 5’s is a new format of hockey and basically combines field and indoor hockey, and is played on any surface but on a smaller field. The main changes in rules are that 5 players must be on the field at all times and goals can be scored from anywhere on the field. Moreover, there is no ‘out’ to allow for a fast-paced game over three periods, rather than 2 halves. This format of hockey will be included in the Youth Olympic Games next year and organizers are inviting business teams, 9 players per team, to represent a Namibian plant or animal of their choice, to participate in this prestigious event. The Meerkats, Kudus, Crocs and Prickly Pears have already entered and the entrance fee is N$500 per team. Any interested parties are encouraged to enter teams in the U-10, U-12, U-14 and U-16 categories for a fee of N$200 per team.
“It is our aim to reach a minimum income of N$100 000 that will enable us to raise the necessary funds for assisting Youth @ Work to continue with hockey development in Rehoboth with the ultimate view to extend it to other parts of Namibia,” reads a statement by the event organizers. The Youth @ Work initiative is also involved in other projects such as providing food and clothing to the needy, especially targeting children and old age homes and an ongoing project to assist the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
The winners of the competition will receive a trophy and prizes for each member of the winning teams. A market day will take place at the same event and stalls can be rented for N$400 per stall, while more games and a tonne of food will be available for participants and spectators.
By Staff reporter