LUDERITZ – The //Karas Region Tjokker Rugby Development Initiative, recently hosted a tournament in Luderitz for U/10 teams, where school teams from towns such as Bethanie, Aus, Keetmanshoop and Luderitz grilled each other in search of top honours.
The tourney, which attracted a lot of spectators, saw Helene Van Rhijn from Luderitz locking horns with St Mathias from Keetmanshoop in the final. Van Rhijn were the deserving winners of the day after trouncing St Mathias by 5-0.
Mervin Kaambo, Sport Officer of the Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture under the Directorate of Sports in Keetmanshoop, organised the event and has also been very instrumental in hosting various coaching clinics for aspiring rugby youngsters within the //Karas region.
Kaambo held training sessions for various schools, with the first staged in Bethanie on 30th June-3rd July, Aus on 28-31st July and then in Luderitz on 4th-7th of this month. He has also hosted training sessions for various schools in towns and villages of Tses, Aroab, Berseba And Koes, Warmbad, Grunau and Karasburg.
“I started with Rugby Development in 2007, mostly Tjokker Rugby for Grade 1 and 2 learners, and the initiative has paid off quite handsomely because we have helped players from previously disadvantage schools with no rugby background gain selection to the national U/13 team”, said Kaambo.
He further emphasised that is due to that background that he would like to expand his development program, currently running in its 3rd year. Kaambo started with 5 towns and is currently serving 10 towns with the programme, while he has also managed to successfully stage three tournaments in Luderitz, Koes and Karasburg which he said will become annual tournaments.
‘My main objective is to train teachers, especially Grade 1 and 2 teachers, to become qualified coaches and referees in their rural areas. I believe grass root development is the backbone for proper sports development in any community”, concluded Kaambo.
By Tuulikki Abraham