Hilma Nalupe

In a refreshing twist on traditional sports fundraising, the Namibia Hockey Union hosted its “Padel for Purpose” event at Nampadel on Friday, to help the national under-21 men’s and women’s teams get closer to their dream of competing at the World Cups in India and Chile later this year.

Thirty-one teams, representing various walks of life, joined the friendly padel tournament, with each rally, serve and cheer symbolising a small but meaningful step toward supporting the athletes.

For the women’s U/21 coach, Christo du Raan, the day was not only a fundraiser, but also a community coming together.

“All the teams that signed up showed up and everyone had fun. It was heartwarming to see so many people take interest in our journey,” he said.

His side has been training for over a year, blending familiar faces from the Junior Africa Cup with new talent. Across the pitch, the men’s team has been putting in daily sessions to fine-tune their form ahead of the global stage.

Their coach, Johan Weyhe, said the effort behind the scenes is relentless. “The funds we raise are vital in helping our players reach their World Cup dreams,” Weyhe said.

But beyond the fitness and tactics lies a story of unity. Azaylee Philander, captain of the women’s team, said wearing the armband means more than leadership. “We all come from different backgrounds, but on the field we’re one big family,” she said.

Throughout the day, participants had the chance to meet the players, hear their stories and understand just how much it means to represent Namibia on the world stage.

Namibia Hockey Union vice president Tunomwaameni Epafras said every contribution, big or small, matters. “From this fundraiser, we’re a step closer to our goal, because we get closer with each dollar we receive,” he said. -hilmanalupe@gmail.com