JWANENG – Namibian bowling teams have just returned from the African States Tournament (AST) where they achieved some remarkable results.
The competition, widely considered the most competitive on the African continent, was held from 6-13 September in Jwaneng, Botswana.
With Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Kenya, hosts Botswana and favourites South Africa in the mix, the Namibian teams, both men and women, faced some stiff competition.
The most outstanding performance came from the men’s pair of Will Esterhuizen and Douw Calitz. The duo, that just missed out on a medal at this year’s Commonwealth Games after losing to England in the bronze-medal match, once again showed they are a force to be reckoned with at international level.
In Botswana, the game against rivals South Africa was as fiercely contested as expected. Little separated the protagonists as the game progressed, but it was Esterhuizen and Calitz that eventually managed to keep the upper hand, defeating their counterparts 16:14.
The Namibian women’s pair also took huge strides when Lesley Vermuelen and Marietjie du Preez made their presence felt throughout the tournament to eventually secure bronze.
First place went to South Africa and hosts Botswana took 2nd place overall in the women’s section.
The women’s good run continued when the fours team of Diana Viljoen, Sheena du Toit, Lesley Vermuelen and Anjuleen Viljoen scored a bronze medal after being in fine form throughout the tournament.
Namibia’s fourth medal came courtesy of the men’s fours team, consisting of Will Esterhuizen, Douw Calitz, Steven Peake and Axel Krahenbuhl, who finished behind South Africa.
The South Africans finished in 2nd place ahead of Namibia although both countries had the same number of points, but their superior shot difference was enough to see them through. The first place went to Zimbabwe.
Thanks to some great bowls, the women managed to secure third place in the overall standings.
Although Esterhuizen and Calitz took first place, on the overall country ranking the men’s team couldn’t make the podium and had to settle for fourth.