As we bid farewell to 2024, New Era Sport invites you, our valued reader, to join us in reflecting on the highs, lows, and everything in between from the local sports scene.
In keeping with tradition, and especially when the positives outweigh the negatives, we’ll kick off our year-end review by highlighting the remarkable achievements and milestones that made waves both locally and internationally.
Swimming
Swimming made a significant impact this year, with Ronan Wantenaar claiming a gold medal in the 100-metre breaststroke at the prestigious 2024 All-Africa Games in Accra, Ghana. He also took the silver medal in the 200-metre breaststroke at the same event.
Para-Sport
Para-sport has been one of the biggest success stories of the year. Lahja Ishitile and her guide Sem Shimanda clinched gold in the women’s T11 400m sprint, clocking a time of 56.20 seconds. This victory was Ishitile’s first gold medal, making her and Johanna Benson the only female Namibian para-athletes to win gold at the Paralympic Games.
Cricket
Cricket Namibia made significant strides in developing the sport, locally and internationally. Their recent achievements demonstrate a commitment to excellence, innovation, growth, and inclusivity.
One of the highlights of 2024 was the success of the men’s U19 team that emerged victorious at the African ODI qualifiers in Tanzania, securing qualification for the U19 World Cup in South Africa. This achievement is testament to Namibia’s strong youth development programmes.
A historic milestone for Cricket Namibia was the construction of a state-of-the-art stadium to host the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2027. This marks the first time Namibia will host a World Cup event and places the country on the global sporting map.
C r i c k e t d e v e l opme nt programmes have expanded, with the introduction of cricket school leagues at public schools. The increased focus on hardball cricket at the grassroots level is crucial for the future of the sport in Namibia.
Chess
One of the year’s most notable achievements for Namibian chess was securing a spot at the 2025 Women’s Chess World Cup, to be held in Batumi, Georgia, from 5 to 29 July 2025. This historic qualification marks Namibia’s debut at this prestigious tournament.
Further to t h is major qualification, Namibia also excelled at the 2024 Southern African Universit ies Staf f Sports Association (SAUSSA) Games in Harare, Zimbabwe, where they claimed a silver medal and finished second overall. Furthermore, the nation achieved a top 10 finish at the African Olympiad earlier in the year.
Football
The Debmarine Premier League experienced a significant boost this year with an N$18-million injection from the diamond mining company. This increased funding has positively impacted the league’s development.
The Brave Warriors, Namibia’s senior men’s football team, achieved a commendabl e second-place finish at the 2024 COSAFA Cup in Port Elizabeth. Although they heavily lost 5-0 to Angola in the final, their overal performance was a notable achievement to take the silver medal.
Additional ly, there was positive news later in the year, regarding the dilapidated Independence Stadium. The government announced plans for its renovation, ending years of uncertainty and delay. This development was warmly welcomed by football fans, who are eager to see national teams playing at home again.
Hockey
The country’s hockey fraternity has equally had their fair share of success this year, with the women’s senior hockey team clinching the Nkosi Cup in Cape Town earlier this week, as they defeated hosts, South Africa 3-1 in a thrilling final. This is the second time in a row they have won the cup.
Rugby
The Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) made significant strides this year, particularly in securing Namibia’s spot at the Rugby World Cup. To ensure adequate preparation for the international stage, the NRU, in collaboration with telecommunications giant MTC, introduced a local rugby competition. This initiative will provide locally-based players valuable game time, enhancing their skills and fitness levels.
The establishment of the regional 15s tournament is a testament to the NRU’s commitment to World Cup qualification and by prioritising domestic competition, the NRU aims to minimise any risk to Namibia’s chances of participating in the global event.
The bad and the ugly
O n e of t h e bi g g e s t disappointments of the year was the failure of top track stars, Beatrice Masilingi and Christine Mboma to qualify for the Paris Olympics. This news was met with mixed feelings by fans who had eagerly anticipated their participation in the most prestigious event in sports history.
Furthermore, Namibia’s limited representation at the Olympics, with only four athletes, was another significant setback. This marked the smallest Namibian Olympic team ever, underscoring the challenges faced by the nation in international sports.
– mkambukwe@nepc.com.na