Hockey teams fired up for challenge

Hockey teams fired up for challenge Jesse Jackson Kauraisa



WINDHOEK

Namibia’s indoor hockey national team captain David Jacobus Strauss has promised the team will do its best to qualify for the world cup.

The men’s and women’s teams will be heading to South Africa where they will compete in the Indoor Africa Cup from 15 to 18 April.

The tournament serves as a world cup qualifier for the teams, given that those who emerge victorious will qualify.

With their wounds still fresh after not qualifying for the tournament last time, Strauss and his teammates are eager to avoid another heart-breaking result this time around.

“We are looking to make sure that we do qualify for the world cup because we did not manage to do that the last time.

“This will be our third qualifier for myself and my vice-captain and from our emotional point of view, we will not be able to take another heartbreak,” Strauss said.

‘MTC came through’

The skipper also lauded sponsor MTC for coming on board.

“I have been part of hockey for 15 years and for the first time we do not have to worry about funding because MTC has come through.

“It takes a massive load off the parents and now we can focus on just what is important, and that is playing hockey,” Strauss said.

The women indoor hockey team player Gillian Hermanus said they are ready to qualify.

“We are ready to go and defend our title and to qualify for the world cup,” she said.

Namibia Sports Commission chief administrator Freddy Mwiya, who handed over the national team colours, encouraged the teams to compete and not just participate.

The Indoor Hockey World Cup will be staged in Japan in the first week of February 2022.

The women’s and men’s teams are among the top-ranking sides in the world.

The women’s team is ranked 10th, while the men’s team is 16th.

Inspire the nation

President of the Namibia Hockey Union Marc Nel said he also expects the team to perform well at the competition.

“Go there and compete and not only to go make up numbers at the competition,” he said.

Last year, the union was one of the recipients of MTC’s multimillion-dollar sports sponsorship.

It was announced that the telecommunications giant would sponsor the union with N$3 million a year for three years, mainly set to focus on national teams.

Meanwhile, MTC’s Tim Ekandjo said he only expects the best from the teams.

“I only have a few words for you: Please go and qualify. Otherwise we will not allow you back in the country,” he said jokingly.

“We want hockey to qualify for the world cup and to inspire the entire nation. We wish you well,” Ekandjo said.