Shooting future in limbo NDF bans competitions at military bases The shooting union is disappointed with the treatment it has received from the Namibia Defence Force (NDF). JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA Namibian Shooting Union president Jurgen Hoffman has revealed that the union cannot stage any events at this stage because the Defence Force has banned it from military premises.
In the past the union used the shooting range at the Luiperdsvallei army base outside Windhoek.
However, the union and all its affiliates have been banned by the Namibia Defence Force from entering the premises.
In an interview yesterday Hoffman said: “There have been so many excuses as to why we are not able to have any activities on that ground anymore.
“First we were told that the place was closed because of Koevoet threats and for state security.
“The next time we were told that someone from our union had removed the lock of the premises and left it open, which is not true.”
Hoffman said the suspension of activities has deprived shooters of events where they could have qualified for the Commonwealth Games and Youth Olympics.
He said they have asked the National Namibia Olympic Committee (NNOC)to look into the matter.
“We have equipment worth millions in that area and we are getting worried that these things could be damaged in our absence.
“The Namibian Shooting Union does not want to argue with anyone or have court cases, we just want to know what is going to happen next.
“We have already lost one shooter who opted to compete for another country because of the situation on the ground.
“I believe that more people will be discouraged because of the things that are happening.
“People might have lost their touch by now because it has been three months since they had practice sessions.”
The shooting union is affiliated to the Namibia Sports Commission and has produced stars like Gaby Ahrens, who represented the country at the 2016 Olympic Games.
The NNOC president, Abner Xoagub, was out of the country yesterday and could not be reached for comment.