In 2018, the Kavango East netball team was crowned the inaugural champions of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup. Coached by Melanie Mbuuru and assisted by Vilhelmine Muyenga, they won the final match against Erongo with a score of 39-33. 

This victory not only brought pride to the region, but also highlighted the potential and talent of young netball players in Kavango East. Since then, netball affairs became dormant, to the point that they needed active resuscitation.

In 2021, journalist Poulus Haingura criticised Kavango East Netball Association (KENA) for poor management of netball affairs in the region, raising issues such as unfair practices in player and management selection, poor coordination of activities, financial mismanagement and lack of national representation. 

Subsequently, in 2022, KENA held its elective congress and elected a new leadership structure.

Led by Wayera Haushiku, the new KENA executive committee embarked on a journey with the intent of dusting the clouds associated with the previous administration. Trying to make significant strides in promoting netball within the region, KENA organised coaching clinics aimed to educate local aspiring netball coaches and school teachers on essential netball coaching skills and umpiring techniques. 

This initiative was part of KENA’s broader effort to enhance the quality of netball training and development in the region.

In addition to the coaching clinics, KENA has been actively involved in competitive netball, ensuring they successfully led second and first division netball leagues. KENA has achieved remarkable milestones in a short period. Under the new leadership, Eastern Chiefs Netball Club was promoted to the MTC Netball Namibia Premier League in 2023.

To emphasise, Lucia Haikera from Eastern Chiefs was selected as the Player of the Season. Eastern Chiefs is now followed by Cuca Tops netball club “Washankwata”, which is expected to join the premier league this year. 

Additionally, KENA has focused on training umpires to ensure high standards in officiating matches.

A testament to the efforts in improving netball affairs, the Kavango East regional netball team once again emerged victorious in the 2025 Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, held in Outjo. The team clinched the title after a decisive win against the Omaheke region, and an additional point to their 2018 victory. The 2018 assistant coach Muyenga led the team as she was assisted by Frans Ndara, a teacher by profession and a sports aficionado. 

Indeed, this victory and that of Haikera are also a testament to the abundance of talent in the peripheral regions, which deserve national recognition. 

The KENA chairperson Haushiku attributed this victory to good regional preparations and sport events such as the league, Gciriku Annual Tournament, which exposes the players to intense competitive games.

As the champions return home, they carry with them the pride of their region, and the promise of continued excellence in Namibian netball. KENA’s efforts are a testament to the growing popularity and development of netball in Kavango East, paving the way for future successes and inspiring young athletes to pursue their passion for sport, but that future requires targeted interventions.

As the saying goes, every achievement comes with its own set of challenges. While it appears that bags of dust are being cleared, the region is faced with various key challenges. To keep the players active, regional leagues need to function effectively.

The second and first division leagues have been managed for two consecutive seasons without funding. The administration of the league, organising qualified umpires to handle games, and winning prizes are some of the costs associated with the league. Due to a lack of funding, KENA is struggling to organise third division leagues.

Apart from the Newspaper Cup, there are other platforms and national trials which allow the players to be selected for the national team. In most cases, KENA is unable to send players for national trials due to limited resources. Without sending these players for national trials, we cannot expect them to be included in the national team.

While the region celebrates, let us recognise the existence of talents among us, and find a means of nurturing these talents for the nation to benefit. Let us come on board and assist regional netball leadership as they move from clouds of dust to national representation. 

*Haushiku Kemba is the Public Relations Officer for KENA. He writes in his capacity. He can be reached at khkemba@gmail.com