Maqonda Ndlovu
President of Netball Namibia (NN), Rebecca Goagoses, and vice president of strategy, Connie Samaria, are in Cape Town to attend the World Netball (WN) Congress on 26 and 27 July 2023.
Goagoses and Samaria left Namibia for Cape Town on Monday, where they will join world netball leaders as they reflect on the state of netball internationally, consider constitutional amendments, and elect its new world governing board members, inclusive of the president. The duo’s trip was sponsored by well-wishers, as NN does not have funds for such trips.
Speaking to New Era Sport from Cape Town, Goagoses said Netball Namibia is an affiliate of WN in good standing.
“Constitutionally, we are required to be in attendance to exercise our right to be heard and influence decision-making that will directly affect all national netball federations”, she said.
Goagoses added that, as NN, they are excited that the Netball World Cup is coming to Africa for the first time, while lamenting the Desert Roses’ failure to qualify for the event.
She said, nevertheless, Namibia will be supporting all the African representatives at the tournament.
When asked about the mood in Cape Town as the tournament’s start edged closer, Goagoses said everybody was excited and looking forward to the biggest netball event in the world.
“Everything seems to be in order, with most accommodation places fully booked. We just watched a friendly match between New Zealand and Malawi, which ended by three points in favour of the former. The excitement is palpable,” she said.
Cape Town-based radio station Cape Talk recently reported that locals were complaining about the prices of the general tickets, which cost R700 for adults and R500 for children, saying they were beyond the reach of ordinary Capetonians.
Tickets to some matches are sold out, but many people argue that ticket prices are too expensive for locals.
The CEO of Netball South Africa, Blanche de la Guerre, said tickets are expensive because the venues at the Cape Town International Conference Centres 1 and 2 have been constructed to hold 6 000 people, making it a premium sporting experience.
Goagoses said it is unfortunate that the tickets are that high.
“We are not part of the organisation of this tournament, and we really do not know the matrix behind the setting of these prices,” she said.
On her ambitions at the elective congress, the NN president said it is too early for her to consider contesting for any positions as she will need to campaign vigorously, an exercise that costs money.
Samaria is expected back home after the congress, while Goagoses will stay on duty as part of the Africa Netball Board.
The Netball World Cup kicks off on 28 July. -jrnmarko@gmail.com