Zebaldt Ngaruka 

The Namibia Schools Sports Union (NSSU) netball category of the National First League playoff concluded on Saturday in the capital.

The competition, held at Windhoek Gymnasium, saw participation from approximately 44 schools across seven regions, drawing in young athletes eager to showcase their skills.

The seven regions that met the NSSU’s requirements to compete in this prestigious event included Khomas, Omaheke, Erongo, Hardap, Otjozondjupa, Kavango East and Karas. 

Each region sent their top schools, all vying for the coveted titles in their respective age groups. The intensity of the competition was palpable, as the young athletes demonstrated both skill and determination on the court.

The top three winners in each category were awarded floating trophies and a total of 14 medals in gold, silver and bronze. These accolades not only represent the players’ hard work, but also their schools’ commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a competitive spirit.

In the U/12 age group, Windhoek Gymnasium capitalised on their home-ground advantage to secure first place. 

They were followed by Windhoek Afrikaans Private School from Khomas in second place, and Otjozondjupa Vooruit in third place.

Windhoek Gymnasium continued the winning streak in the U/13 category, where they claimed first place again. They were closely challenged by People’s Primary School from Khomas, who took second place, while Danie Joubert from the Hardap region secured third place.

In the U/15 category, Epako from Omaheke clinched first place, followed by Windhoek Gymnasium in second, and Danie Joubert once more making the podium in third. 

This category showcased the competitive spirit across regions, with schools pushing each other to their limits.

Shenungwe from Kavango East proved their mettle in the U/17 age group by claiming the top spot, while Windhoek Gymnasium continued their impressive performance, finishing in second place. Mokganedi Tlhabanello High School secured third place, rounding off a fiercely contested category.

The U/19 competition saw Erongo region’s Tutaleni High School emerge as champions, demonstrating their superiority on the court. High Technical School from Khomas followed in second place, while Jahn Möhr, also from Khomas, settled for third.

Alta van Zyl, coach of Windhoek Gymnasium’s U/12 team, attributed their victories to the players’ commitment and rigorous training. 

“We worked hard, and are happy for this achievement,” she remarked, reflecting the dedication that led to their success.

NSSU’s national coordinator Rodger Kambatuku expressed satisfaction with with the event’s smooth execution.

 “It was good to see young players from different schools showing their talents at a high level. This is one of the reasons we created such a platform, as it gives opportunities for players to be selected at the national level,” he said, emphasising the importance of such events in the development of school sports.

He also highlighted the significance of seeing regions other than Khomas emerging as winners, which he said is a testament to the success of sports development programmes across the country.

He urged other regions to join the netball playoffs by creating leagues in their respective regions, providing more opportunities for young players to compete and develop their skills.

– zngaruka@yahoo.com