By Otniel Hembapu
WINDHOEK – After having failed on two attempts due to financial constraints the All Namibia Netball Association (ANNA) has finally put all the necessary logistics in place to host the tri-nations netball tournament in Swakopmund on July 18-19.
ANNA vice-president Alvira Peterson revealed the news to New Era Sports, saying Namibia will be joined by Zambia and Zimbabwe in the much-anticipated tournament. She added that it could however turn into a four-nations tourney should Botswana confirm their participation in a few days’ time.
Peterson said ANNA will also use the platform to hold their annual general meeting, where they will deliberate on challenges currently hampering progress at the association, while the niggling issues of inadequate funding and lack of a headline sponsor for the country’s netball body will top the agenda.
Besides the financial issues, the meeting will also look at formulating a clear roadmap on how netball in Namibia can go forward, especially in attaining its developmental goals.
Despite the adverse financial circumstances stacked against them, Peterson says ANNA is determined to take the game of netball to greater heights and assured that very soon ANNA would secure a sponsor for its activities and regional development programmes.
Peterson further confirmed that they have already submitted their request to the Namibia Sports Commission for the Under-18 national team to compete in the upcoming U/18 tri-nations tourney in Botswana on August 11-14, featuring hosts Botswana, Namibia and England.