DebMarine continues to back Jewels

DebMarine continues to back Jewels LIMBA MUPETAMI

WINDHOEK



The Desert Jewels of Namibia owe their success to the ever-present DebMarine Namibia, which has for the last years aided the senior national team in their quest to shine beyond the country's borders.

On Monday, the Desert Jewels announced a sponsorship of N$347 000 from ­DebMarine towards their trip to Cape Town, where they will clash with South Africa, Uganda, South Africa under-23 and Uganda u-23 teams in the Spar Challenge from 24 to 31 March.



Quest for better ranking

The Desert Jewels will use the competition to improve their 23rd ranking. Speaking at the national colours handover ceremony at the Namibia Sports Commission, Netball Namibia's (NN) secretary-general Imelda Nerongo said she hoped that the Namibian government recognises DebMarine's continued support and commitment towards netball in the country.

“The national netball team is going through a difficult time when it comes to funding, since funding from the government is very limited. But we are forever grateful for the sponsorship of DebMarine Namibia and many others,” she said.

The team also received sponsorships from 15 other companies for their trip to Cape Town.

The chief financial officer of DebMarine, Willy Mertens, said the company was committed to the national team and programmes that uplift women.

“We want to show our continued support by sponsoring accommodation, meals, transport, stipends and a netball kit. Let your hard work and discipline on and off the court resemble the life cycle of a diamond: From a high-pressure environment, emerge strong, indestructibly resilient no matter the circumstances and shine forever,” Mertens said.

DebMarine has been a proud sponsor for the Jewels for the last four years and the team won the Singapore M1 Nations Cup in 2019 under this sponsorship.

“Your sponsorship in many ways has brought a huge amount of help to netball and we appreciate it. Your kindness is permitting us to fulfil our purpose and dreams. We are ready for the challenge. We are not going to participate, but to compete,” team captain Jatjinda Kambatuku said.



Doors opening for future stars

The head coach of the team, Julene Meyer, said the team is not ranked 23rd at the moment because they are not working hard, but because of a lack of competition.

“The team is working hard and is prepared to take the top 10 world ranking. Numbers such as fifth and seventh are just numbers. We have shown in Singapore that we can beat a ninth-ranked country. So, the sponsors should come on board, and walk the walk,” she said.

She added that all the little girls out there should grab a ball and keep playing. “We are waiting for you to come and become the next generation of Desert Jewels,” she said.

Also speaking at the ceremony was the chief administrator of the Namibia Sports Commission, Freddy Mwiya, who was impressed with the representation in the team.

“For years there was critique that the team only picked players from the Khomas Region. This is not the case any more and because of that I must applaud NN for answering the call for transformation where every Namibian child is given an opportunity to represent their country. I see players from regions such as Zambezi, Omusati, Ohangwena, Omaheke, Erongo and Oshikoto,” Mwiya said. The following 12 players will leave on Thursday for the competition: Selma Bittley, Rachalle Roetz, Shahin Gomases, Emmy Kutako, Anna Kaspar, Juzelri Garbers, Anna Shipanga, Loide Hanyanya, Kathy Mulenamaswe, Eva Kamutushi, Venyekerera Maharero and Kambatuku.