Hilma Nalupe 

Namibia’s promising young tennis talents are expected to fly the national flag high at the 2025 Southern African Championships, taking place in Maputo, Mozambique. 

The games, which kicked off on Saturday, end this Friday. 

The six-player squad will compete against some of the best U/12 players from the region, with eight countries expected to participate in the prestigious team competition. 

The national side consists of Breyton Bezuidenhout, Pameni Paulus, Shafiishuna Stimuli, Janice Bezuidenhout, Madison Hoff and Niamey Marcus under the guidance of coach Mickey Alume. They will battle it out in singles and doubles matches, with doubles often proving decisive in determining tournament outcomes. 

Speaking ahead of the team’s departure, Junior Tennis Namibia chairperson Daniel Du Toit expressed both confidence and excitement for the youngsters. 

“The first thing I expect from them is to actually hold our flag high. This is a national side, so we expect them to perform and play well. These are very young kids, so it’s also a great experience for them to have fun and enjoy it. It’s part of their growth and learning,” he said. 

Beyond the thrill of competition, the championships carry significant weight for the country’s standing in African tennis. 

Players will compete for ranking points that determine not only individual standings but also Namibia’s overall position on the continent. 

A strong performance could secure invitations to the prestigious African Championships, while underperformance risks missing out on such opportunities. 

For some of the players, this trip marks a number of firsts. 

“We’ve got one or two of the girls who have never flown before. It’s a great experience for them to travel internationally,” Du Toit shared. 

Sharing the team’s ambitions, player Pameni Paulus said the squad is motivated to excel. 

“We are very excited. We are hoping to achieve at least the top three to go to Morocco later on,” he said. 

Over the five-day tournament, Namibia’s young stars will face tough competition but carry with them a sense of pride and determination. 

The championships will test skill, resilience and teamwork. 

With a spirited mix of talent and enthusiasm, Team Namibia is ready to make its mark on the Southern African stage. 

– hilmanalupe@gmail.com