Hilma Nalupe
The Arysteq/Simonis Storm Schools Tournament Series once again highlighted the bright future of Namibian table tennis as young players gathered this past Saturday at the Wanderers Sport Club hall in Windhoek.
The tournament attracted 62 participants: 38 boys and 24 girls, showcasing the growing enthusiasm and talent in youth competition across the country. Now in its third year, the series has become a vital stepping stone for aspiring athletes, steadily growing in numbers and influence.
Participation has surged from just 37 entrants in its inaugural year to over 60 regular competitors today, with a particularly notable rise in the number of girls joining the sport.
The impact of the series extends well beyond competition.
Many of Namibia’s top young players began their journeys in these tournaments and have since progressed to national teams, competing successfully at the regional level.
The platform has proven to be not just about producing skilled athletes, but also about shaping well-rounded individuals through the discipline, focus and teamwork that table tennis demands.
According to tournament and series director Theo Beukes, the series has exceeded its initial purpose of promoting the sport. “We’ve now realised that it’s actually developing kids, not just as athletes, but also as all-round people, with all the benefits that table tennis as a sport brings to you,” he said.
With six players already rising from casual beginnings to regional competition through this tournament, the outlook for the next generation is promising.
The Arysteq/Simonis Storm Schools Tournament Series has firmly established itself as a breeding ground for Namibia’s future table tennis stars.