Following its postponement last November, Namibia will host the 2024 Junior Africa Cup (JAC) hockey qualifiers from 18 to 25 April at the Davin Trustco Hockey Stadium in Windhoek. 

The Namibian Hockey Union (NHU) announced through a media statement Tuesday that it is thrilled to host the qualifiers that will showcase the best young hockey talent on the continent. 

“The NHU and its partners are committed to ensuring an exceptional tournament experience for all participating teams, with top-notch facilities and warm Namibian hospitality,” it said. 

The qualifiers were initially scheduled for the Windhoek High School field in November last year. 

However, after discussions among 24 national associations at the African Hockey Federation (AfHF) Forum held on 7 November 2024, along with the 2024 International Hockey Federation (FIH) Congress in Muscat (Oman), the AfHF decided to postpone the tournament to April 2025. 

The games will see eight men’s and seven women’s U/21 national teams in action, with the top three teams qualifying for the FIH Junior World Cups in India and Chile for men and women, respectively, towards the end of this year. 

Confirmed teams: 

Men: Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 

Women: Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 

“By hosting the tournament, the Namibia Hockey Union hopes to bring the sport of hockey closer to our people, increase national pride, and boost participation in the sport that we serve and love,” said NHU president Carin Slabbert in the statement. 

AfHF CEO Ahmed Azmy was quoted as saying “the Junior Africa Cup Qualifiers provide an invaluable platform for young athletes to gain international exposure and experience, paving the way for future success on the world stage”. 

Among the sponsors of the tournament are Smith Distributors, Interpack Beverages and TK Sports. 

-Nampa