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Senior hockey teams depart for World Cup in Croatia

Senior hockey teams depart for World Cup in Croatia

The Namibian senior women’s and men’s hockey teams departed yesterday morning for Cape Town, South Africa, to begin their preparation for the upcoming FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup, set to take place from February 3 to 9 in Poreč, Croatia.

During their first preparation camp in Cape Town, the teams will focus on fine-tuning their skills and strategies in anticipation of the prestigious tournament. Following this, the teams will travel to Amsterdam, where they will undergo a second phase of training in Europe, further enhancing their readiness for the competition.

The final preparation camp will be held in Zagreb, Croatia, before the teams make their way to Poreč for the World Cup.

The event marks a significant milestone for Namibian hockey, with the women’s team making their fourth appearance and the men’s team their third at this prestigious international tournament.

At the send-off, deputy minister of Sport Emma Kantema-Gaomas highlighted the importance of this achievement, noting the pride and progress both teams have shown in recent years. “Our men’s team secured their spot as African champions this past May in Swakopmund, a moment of immense pride for our nation,” Kantema-Gaomas said. 

“Meanwhile, our women’s team has shown remarkable resilience, finishing as runners-up after dominating the African stage in recent tournaments.”

The deputy minister further emphasised that both teams have performed exceptionally well on the world stage, with the men currently ranked 14th globally and the women ranked 12th. 

This reflects the years of dedication and investment from the government, corporate Namibia, and Hockey Namibia. “Both teams have demonstrated exceptional readiness for the World Cup,” she added, noting that the women recently defended their Nkosi Cup title in Cape Town, while the men narrowly lost in the final against South Africa.

In a show of continued support, Kantema-Gaomas revealed that the Namibian government has allocated N$4 998 000 to directly support the hockey teams for their World Cup journey. 

This significant financial commitment complements the National Hockey Union’s budget allocation of N$1 million for the 2024/2025 fiscal year, bringing the total support to N$5 998 000 for this financial year.

“As we look toward Croatia, we aim not only to improve on previous performances, but also to reach the quarterfinals and beyond. The government remains committed to supporting our teams with the necessary resources because sport fosters unity and national pride,” Kantema-Gaomas said.

She also quoted legendary hockey player Wayne Gretzky: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” urging the athletes to take their shot and let their passion for the game shine. 

In her message to the players, she expressed immense pride in their representation of Namibia: “Carry your Namibian spirit proudly and represent us with bravery and determination. You are ambassadors of our nation, inspiring young Namibians to dream big. Know that we rally behind you as a nation; your victories are our victories, and together, we stand as one.”

Kantema-Gaomas also extended congratulations to the newly elected executive committee of the Namibian Hockey Union (NHU), including its first female president, praising their leadership and potential to elevate hockey in Namibia. She encouraged corporate Namibia to support initiatives such as upgrading the Doc Jubber Hockey Fields, which are essential for the continued growth and success of hockey in the country.

Before concluding, she expressed gratitude to all stakeholders and sponsors for their contributions, assuring them that the ministry remains dedicated to supporting Namibia’s athletes and federations, encouraging open communication to address any challenges that arise. -lmupetami@nepc.com.na