Wrestling takes Katutura by storm Code has exhibition tournament in heart of township Wrestling is targeting being among the main stream codes following great interest shown during an event on Friday. Quote BoxWe have done a lot with very little.
The Namibia Wrestling Federation (NWF) held an exhibition tournament at the UN Plaza on Friday evening.
This was part of the Khomas Community Cup organisers’ initiative to introduce the code to Katutura residents.
Kids from the After School Centre took part in a few match-ups with the wrestling officials then explaining how points are scored.
While the attendance was not great, the level of interest from passers-by did not go unnoticed as people kept stopping in to watch before continuing with their activities.
NWF vice-president John Homateni, who is a former wrestler but now doubles up as a referee and coach, expressed happiness at the hosting of the event.
“I’m happy that the directorate of sport decided to host us here,” he said.
“We are picking up as a body and this will help more people to know about the code.”
Homateni then explained that wrestling traditionally has two categories.
“One is the Greco-Roman style, where competitors only use their upper bodies to try and overthrow each other.
“The second one is Freestyle, where the competitors are allowed to touch the legs.”
As for scoring points, the administrator said that one wrestler has to pin the other down, which would render a match over.
“If they manage to put the other on the knees, that is two points while they get four points if they pick up the opponent and slam them down on their back,” he said.
The referee and three other judges score the bout and refer to it once there is no pin down during the three rounds.
Homateni added that he can recommend wrestling to anyone.
“It is a high discipline sport, good for fitness and it makes your body flexible,” he said.
While the code is relatively unknown, it has produced a few Olympic Games participants with Sem Shilimela being the last one at the 2012 event.
Recent stars also include Lukas Thomas and Jason Afrikaner, who have both been touted as potential Olympians.
Wrestling coach, Luis Forcelledo said that the success they have achieved despite receiving little financial support is testimony to the talent in Namibia.
“We have done a lot with very little. So just think how much more we can do for these children if we had more coming our way,” he said.
He, however, applauded the Ministry of Gender Equality as well as the directorate of sport for the assistance they have been giving.
“Gender equality sponsored the wrestling gear and some shoes. And we must thank you to ministry of sport for organising such events,” he added.
Homateni, meanwhile, says that their aim is to take wrestling to all regions of the country within two years.
“We need resources; the mats and training gear are quite costly. We also need the coaches to receive motivation to continue with their work,” he said mentioning that Namibian currently has about six qualified wrestling coaches.
“We recently trained 12 more from the regions and we are planning to have more.”
The NWF has a few upcoming events with a club tournament slated for 22 October in Usakos.
Two Windhoek based teams and one each from Otjiwarongo and Usakos are due to compete there.
A national event is also on the cards for 5 November with Otjiwarongo touted as the hosting town.
HECTOR MAWONGA