Hockey receives colours ahead of Zim clashYouth hockey making strides The Namibia Sport Commission (NSC) awarded colours to the Hockey Union of Namibia as they prepared to face Zimbabwe in the international test hockey series which started yesterday. It will be the first boys' test series at school level between the two countries and will see Zimbabwean under-16 and Under-18 teams taking on their Namibian counterparts from November 30 to December 2.
The tour follows the successful staging of the girls' series between the two countries in Namibia in August, where Zimbabwe won the under-18 test series and Namibia the under-16 series.
Under-18 team manager Andre van der Merwe said the teams represent the best hockey players in the country at the moment. He said the players have a lot to play for and that the teams have seen a lot of transformation thus far.
“The boys were picked for the teams based on their ability and skill and are ready to take on the visitors.”
He also said that they wish to send a team next year to Algiers for the World Cup hockey qualifiers.
The captain of the under-18 team, Nico Jacobs, said if they played as a team they would beat the visitors.
“We have trained hard and covered all the basics,” he said.
The captain of the under-16 squad, Nico Neethling, said they had a strong team this year and would go out and destroy Zimbabwe on the field.
Freddy Mwiya, chief administrator at the NSC, said the teams should perform to the best of their ability and make the country proud. He also encouraged the young players to stay clear from doping and any other illegal substances as they are ambassadors of the country.
“Wearing national colours is a great achievement. You are stars of this country and should be role models wherever you go,” he said. Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) secretary general Joan Smit encouraged the players to emulate the performance of the Brave Warriors when they beat Zimbabwe recently in the 2017 Dr Hage Geingob Cup.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
The tour follows the successful staging of the girls' series between the two countries in Namibia in August, where Zimbabwe won the under-18 test series and Namibia the under-16 series.
Under-18 team manager Andre van der Merwe said the teams represent the best hockey players in the country at the moment. He said the players have a lot to play for and that the teams have seen a lot of transformation thus far.
“The boys were picked for the teams based on their ability and skill and are ready to take on the visitors.”
He also said that they wish to send a team next year to Algiers for the World Cup hockey qualifiers.
The captain of the under-18 team, Nico Jacobs, said if they played as a team they would beat the visitors.
“We have trained hard and covered all the basics,” he said.
The captain of the under-16 squad, Nico Neethling, said they had a strong team this year and would go out and destroy Zimbabwe on the field.
Freddy Mwiya, chief administrator at the NSC, said the teams should perform to the best of their ability and make the country proud. He also encouraged the young players to stay clear from doping and any other illegal substances as they are ambassadors of the country.
“Wearing national colours is a great achievement. You are stars of this country and should be role models wherever you go,” he said. Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) secretary general Joan Smit encouraged the players to emulate the performance of the Brave Warriors when they beat Zimbabwe recently in the 2017 Dr Hage Geingob Cup.
LIMBA MUPETAMI