The senior national netball team, the DebMarine Desert Jewels, have received a major financial boost ahead of their departure to Scotland for the prestigious Celtic Cup.
The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) has extended N$100 000 in additional sponsorship, while NamPower has contributed a further N$50 000 to aid the team’s preparations. This support comes on top of the substantial backing from main sponsor DebMarine Namibia, which has covered key expenses, including international flight tickets.
These announcements were made during a well-attended press conference held yesterday at the Namibia Sport Commission in Windhoek, where stakeholders and team partners expressed their confidence in the squad.
DebMarine senior communications officer Anna Ikela applauded the team’s progress since the company began supporting them in 2024.
“We have seen you crawl, walk, and run, and we are proud. I also want to congratulate Netball Namibia (NN) for bringing in new talent. You are the future. Have nothing to fear; the nation is behind you. Play with your heart and showcase Namibia’s talent,” she said.
Delivering remarks on behalf of head coach Julene Meyer, specialist coach Dorette Badenhorst said the team’s preparations had been solid, with players working tirelessly to ready themselves for high-level competition.
“We will be facing Wales, Uganda, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Zimbabwe, all ranked higher than us globally. This will be our first real exposure to European netball, and facing several top 10 nations at once is a milestone. It allows us to benchmark ourselves,” she said.
“This is not just a sporting event. It represents the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of Namibia.”
Badenhorst emphasised the team’s commitment:
“The Jewels have shown immense dedication and discipline. We are proud to announce that we are currently ranked 15th in the world. We will compete with pride, sportsmanship, and the Namibian spirit burning bright.”
She thanked the sponsors for their unwavering support.
“DebMarine Namibia continues to create opportunities for our athletes. Our sincere thanks also go to the NTB for championing Namibian hospitality and to NamPower for energising the dreams of our sportswomen. Your support is invaluable.”
The conference also revealed that two players previously in basic training at the Namibia Correctional Service, Monica Gomases and Loide Kanyolo, have been granted release to travel with the team. However, the release of Louise ‘Dreamy’ Kausehue, who is undergoing training with the Namibian Police, remains pending.
NN president Juanita Witbeen stressed the importance of balancing youth development with senior experience.
“As much as we are focusing on growth and bringing in young talent, we still need experienced players to guide the team in competitions of this magnitude. That is why we pushed for the inclusion of senior players,” she explained.