Auleria Wakudumo
In a region where gymnastics is still seen as a sport reserved for “others”, an Ongwediva-based club is rewriting that narrative in style, with medals to show for it.
KMA Gymnastics Club, nestled in the heart of Ongwediva, has become a beacon of inspiration for young athletes northern Namibia.
Founded in 2021 by Kally Abiatal, the club has managed to defy expectations and prove that the north is not only catching up with the rest of the country in gymnastics, but it is thriving.
Coach Tangi Shilongo said that earlier this month, 12 of the club’s gymnasts took part in the Namibian Gymnastics Federation (NGF) National Artistic Championships, where they stunned the crowd by bringing home 46 medals – including 16 golds, 23 silvers and seven bronzes.
“I am so proud of my babies,” said the coach, whose passion for the sport radiates through her every word.
“Just imagine how much more we could achieve if we had proper equipment. These results are proof that talent is everywhere even here in the north,” she remarked.
From music to movement
KMA Gymnastics was born out of a shared vision between two women who are passionate about performing arts. Abiatal, a performing arts major and founder of Kally’s Music Academy, wanted to add a dance element to her academy.
Around the same time, Shilongo, a former gymnast herself, was eager to revive her love for the sport.
“When my mother told me about Abiatal’s idea, I jumped at the opportunity. We met, she hired me, and the rest is history,” she recalled.
Today, the club trains 21 young gymnasts, mostly girls between the ages of five and 16 every Saturday at the Sam Nujoma Multipurpose Centre in Ongwediva.
Despite limited resources and only a few hours of training per week, the results speak volumes.
Breaking stereotypes
While gymnastics may still be finding its footing in northern Namibia, KMA Gymnastics is proving that the sport is not just for a select few.
“One of the biggest challenges is that many people still see gymnastics as a ‘white sport’ or something that only happens in America. But when they see real Namibian girls from Ongwediva performing real gymnastics and winning real medals, it starts to change perceptions,” Shilongo said.
She added that the recent national success has boosted not only the gymnasts’ confidence but also that of their parents and the wider community.
Training with heart
Despite their impressive progress, the team’s journey has not been without challenges.
The lack of proper gymnastics remains a major obstacle.
“To prepare for competitions, we often travel to train with the Tsumeb Gymnastics Club, just so the girls can experience what it’s like to perform on proper apparatuses. Coach Djamel Meziane in Tsumeb has been a Godsent, always willing to help where possible,” she said.
At home, the club’s training space at the Multipurpose Centre is shared with other groups, limiting practice to once a week.
Two hours a week is not nearly enough for a gymnast to train.
If they had their own venue, they could train more often and not have to pack up and set up every time.
Confidence
Beyond the medals and routines, KMA Gymnastics is helping shape confident and self-assured young people.
“I can say without fear of contradiction that all my gymnasts are confident, upbeat individual. Some were shy when they joined, but you wouldn’t be able to tell now. Gymnastics has helped them grow – not just physically but emotionally too,” she said with a smile.
While the club does not plan to expand to other towns, she remains open to welcoming new members to the KMA family and is supportive of any new gymnastics clubs that may start in other regions.
They said they would like to see other Olympic sport taken more seriously in Namibia and called on local businesses, sport organisations and sponsors to assist their club with gymnastics equipment and materials.
They added that investing in youth would benefit the country in the long run.