Hilma Nalupe
Namibia’s table tennis community is celebrating a proud milestone after the Namibia Table Tennis Association (NTTA) was invited to participate in the 50th Independence Table Tennis Tournament of Angola from 19-21 September 2025.
This is a significant opportunity that highlights the sport’s steady rise in the country.
NTTA president Rudi Saunderson described the invitation as an honour and testament to the strong relationship between Namibia and Angola’s table tennis federations.
“Just being part of this historic event is remarkable. It gives us the opportunity to cement our relationship with the Table Tennis Federation of Angola while also offering our senior athletes much appreciated international exposure,” Saunderson said.
Representing Namibia were seasoned players Dalton Dreyer and Michelle de Koker, both regarded as the nation’s most in-form athletes.
Despite limited preparation due to work commitments and the unavailability of the national coach, the duo showcased their talent and determination on the international stage.
De Koker faced a tough draw in the women’s singles.
Despite competing well, she was unable to progress to the quarterfinals.
Dreyer, however, rose to the challenge in the men’s singles and advanced to the quarterfinals, where he faced tournament favourite, Angola’s Alisandro Andre.
For Saunderson, the impact goes beyond individual performances.
He believes Dreyer and De Koker’s participation serves as inspiration for the next generation of Namibian players.
The NTTA recently updated its development plan, which sets ambitious targets for expanding the sport into more regions and schools, while also focusing on succession planning for the national team.
Saunderson emphasised that international exposure helps athletes identify gaps and build competitiveness on both regional and continental stages.
As Namibia builds momentum in table tennis, milestones like the Angola tournament underline the sport’s growing traction and its potential to inspire a new wave of athletes across the country.