In the heart of Outjo, a cricket revolution is quietly taking place.

 At the centre of it all is Wilhelm Tuafeni. 

As the founder of the Outjo Cricket Development Initiative, his story is proof of the power of passion and hard work.

What began in 2014 as a dream to give children in his region the opportunity to experience and thrive in cricket has blossomed into a beacon of hope. 

This is not just for the game, but the lives it has changed along the way.

From humble beginnings, Tuafeni’s journey into cricket was anything but conventional. 

Raised on a farm in the remote area of Ryneveld, he was a young boy with few resources, but an insatiable curiosity. 

Cricket, at the time, was a White-dominated sport. 

However, that did not stop him. 

Watching the boys play cricket on the farm, he could not resist joining in. 

Armed with a stick as a bat, he began to hone his skills.

 It was not long before the game, with its precision and passion, captured his heart.

“Cricket wasn’t a sport you saw many people of my background playing, but I was drawn to it. It was something new – something exciting. Though I had little access to proper equipment, I would play with whatever I could find,” he recalled.

It was this early love for the sport that would lay the foundation for the development initiative. 

Tuafeni, who has now been coaching for over 11 years, did not just want to play cricket. 

He wanted to allow others to experience the game he had fallen in love with.

“Growing up, I didn’t have a lot of access to structured cricket. I never played even on a national level. However, I always dreamed that one day, I could bring cricket to my community,” he said.

Lifeline for youngsters

Today, Tuafeni’s passion has evolved into something far more profound – a mentorship programme that has become a lifeline for young athletes in Outjo. 

The programme, which began with little more than his commitment, has grown steadily, providing young players with the tools and opportunities to dream big.

Over the years, he has nurtured several cricketers, two of whom stand out as shining examples of the success that can come from hard work and determination. 

Namutenya Thomas and Veronica Tobias, both of whom started under Tuafeni’s guidance, have gone on to represent Namibia at the U/19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa qualifier. 

They are now part of the junior national team.

 Their journeys are among the proudest moments for him.

“Watching Thomas and Tobias grow and develop has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” Tuafeni reflected. 

“I am so proud of them – not just for what they’ve achieved, but for how they’ve represented the potential that exists in our region,” he said.

However, the journey has not been without its challenges. 

Outjo, and indeed the Kunene region, is not known for its cricketing infrastructure. 

With few schools offering cricket programmes and the sport traditionally overlooked in favour of rugby, Tuafeni faces an uphill battle. 

Yet, his perseverance has been unwavering. 

He has brought the game to young people in some of the most remote areas of the region – from the informal settlement of Ehangano to as far as Epupa, where he has conducted roadshows to spark interest in the sport.

In collaboration with Cricket Namibia (CN), he has even landed a job as the regional cricket head coach.

He has also trained teachers from Khorixas and Kamanjab, enabling them to establish cricket programmes at their schools. 

“The support from CN has been invaluable. They’ve provided equipment and the resources to make this vision a reality,” he remarked.

Invaluable support

One of Tuafeni’s proudest accomplishments is the establishment of a netted practice structure at Etoshapoort Sports Stadium, which was built in 2024 with the support of Namdia. 

“It’s a small step, but it has made a big difference,” he said. 

The facility provides young cricketers with a safe, structured environment, where they can hone their batting skills.

This was previously a challenge due to the lack of proper facilities.

Despite these successes, he remains focused on the bigger picture. 

His vision extends far beyond the walls of the Etoshapoort Sports Stadium. 

He dreams of a dedicated cricket facility in Outjo, one that would allow for greater growth and development in the region. 

At present, the cricket field is shared with football players and other athletes, which limits the time and space available for cricket practice.

“We need a space that is dedicated to cricket,” Tuafeni noted. 

“This would not only benefit the current players, but also attract more young people to the sport. The demand is there, but we need the facilities to nurture that potential,” he added.

The future, however, looks promising. 

The Outjo Cricket Development Initiative caters to children aged nine  to 19, with practice sessions running daily.

 Remarkably, more girls than boys have joined the programme, something Tuafeni believes reflects the growing interest in cricket among young women in the region. 

The support from parents and teachers has been equally encouraging, with many seeing the programme as an opportunity for their children to succeed.

“We have so much potential here,” he said, eyes focused on the future. 

“With better infrastructure, more support and more opportunities, we can nurture even greater talent, and build a cricketing culture that will last for generations,” he remarked.

– lmupetami@nepc.com.na