… Visiting teams beware
WINDHOEK – Namibia has selected strong and experienced men and women teams to compete at the 7-day African States Bowls Tournament (AST) in Windhoek this weekend.
The event, for which Vivo Energy has partnered with the Namibian Bowling Association as official sponsor, will take place at the Windhoek Country and Eros bowling clubs.
With the likes of Jean Viljoen, Ewald Vermeulen, Will Esterhuizen and Graham Snyman in the mix of things, the Namibian men’s team will have every reason to believe that they can improve on the 2nd place at the last African States tourney and with homeground advantage in their favour, hope to win the prestigious event.
Newcomer Axel Krahnbuhl is the only player on the local team sheet without international experience. But the 30-year-old showed why he is one of the county’s best by winning the national closed singles competition a fortnight ago. This obviously gave him the much needed confidence boost ahead of his first maiden competition in Namibian colours.
The woman’s team, represented by Diana Viljoen, Johanna Du Preez, Mariê van der Merwe,
Sheena Du Toit and Charlotte Morland, all boasting years of experience must fancy their chances for a podium spot after failing to do so at the last event. Notably Viljoen, 41, looks set to give the opposition a good run for their money after having won the women’s division closed singles competition.
The ladies team is highly motivated to finish among the top two teams in the competition, a position that will guarantee qualification for next year’s Commonwealth Games. The Namibian men’s team will be under less pressure, having already secured qualification for Glasgow next year.
Following are the squad members of both the Namibian men and women’s teams.
Women
1. Mariê Annette van der Merwe
Participating disciplines: Pairs (lead)
Fours (lead)
2. Sheena du Toit
Participating disciplines: Triples (2nd)
Fours (3rd)
3. Charlotte Morland
Participating disciplines: Triples (lead)
Fours (2nd)
4. Johanna Maria du Preez
Participating disciplines: Triples (skip)
Fours (skip)
5. Daina Viljoen
Participating disciplines: Singles
Pairs (skip)
Manager: Bea Lamprecht
Men
1. Jean Viljoen
Participating disciplines: Pairs (Lead)
Fours (2nd)
2. Ewald Frank Vermeulen
Participating disciplines: Triples (2nd)
Fours (3rd)
3. Willem Erasmus Esterhuizen
Participating disciplines: Singles
Pairs (skip)
4. Axel Krahnbuhl
Participating disciplines: Triples (Lead)
Fours (Lead)
5. Graham Snyman
Participating disciplines: Triples (skip)
Fours (skip)
Team Manager: Tollie Cronje
By Staff Reporter