A woman transforms family passion into a rural sports movement

Emilie Abraham has channelled her passion for sports into a beacon of hope for young boys in Okatseidhi Village in the Omusati region.

In an interview with Namibian Sun, Abraham, the manager at the Namibian Agronomic Board and chairperson of the Sheanest Community Sports Development Project, said many boys in her village were turning to alcohol and squandering their natural talent.

“It all began when the boys approached us, asking if we could sponsor them with a soccer ball,” she noted.

"Our family is deeply passionate about sports; my husband and I have both played soccer. So, we decided to create a sports field for them and purchased two balls. Their joy was immeasurable,” she said.

What started with just two balls has evolved into an expansive community initiative.

Founded in 2025 as a family endeavour, the Sheanest Community Sports Development Project is dedicated to nurturing talent in rural areas, discouraging alcohol consumption that often leads to school dropouts, and preventing crime.

“We aim to create opportunities for these boys to showcase their talents, connect with the broader sporting community, and eventually join big teams and make a name for themselves and watch them on television if possible,” Abraham said.

As a woman spearheading a rural sports initiative, Abraham believes that untapped talent resides within many Namibian villages and everyone has a role to play to shape brighter futures for young people.

“It takes one person to rise up for a community to change the lives of those who feel voiceless," she said.

"However, a collective effort is essential. We struggle to provide water, food, and sports kits for the boys, although some sponsors have come forth to donate balls, goal-post nets, drinks and kits and food, which fall short of our needs.”

Filling gaps

The family’s contributions extend beyond sports. They also operate a soup kitchen and provide shelter.

“Initially, we housed them in a tent at our small home, but we have now decided to construct a dedicated sports hostel to protect them from harsh weather, particularly during the rainy season," she said.

"The boys enjoy the meals and sporting activities so much that, after tournaments, it can be quite a challenge to convince them to return to their villages,” she added.

Currently, the project hosts football academies and football for four teams and plans to introduce additional sports disciplines in the near future, such as netball and volleyball.

The impact of this initiative was evident during its inaugural event in 2025.

Community members were thrilled to see over 25 teams from surrounding villages, including Amaupa, Onakatili, Omakange, Ongwena, Oluhalu, Okafa, Okalongo, and Okahao, gather in Okatseidhi.

However, this growth has not come without challenges.

“The boys often lack proper soccer balls, kits and boots. I recall our first tournament last year, where one kit was shared among more than six teams, and the limited boots we had served over 15 teams,” she said.

Funding dreams

Accommodating the young footballers remains a significant hurdle. The family has begun constructing a sports hostel with their own funds to accommodate at least eight teams but awaits support for mattresses, beds and lighting.

To facilitate the next tournament, the project is seeking sponsorship from the business community for boots, kits, balls, and prizes, including trophies, medals and refreshments.

Should additional sponsorship be secured, Abraham said accommodation and tournament provisions such as kits, soccer boots, balls and medical equipment would be prioritised.

“We will focus on creating sports accommodations, and we plan to construct some sports infrastructure, including a soup kitchen and adequate ablution facilities. Proper accommodation is essential for teams travelling from distant areas or villages,” she said.

Right direction

Fifteen-year-old Elly Alugodhi, a spokesperson for the project and head coach, told Namibian Sun that prior to the sport initiative, youth would use bottles as makeshift goalposts.

“You would often see someone positioned between two bottles acting as a goalkeeper, attempting to stop the ball from a young striker,” she said.

Alugodhi encouraged her peers to take responsibility for their communities and get busy.

“We should be mindful of our communities' needs and strive to serve our fellow residents with compassion," she said. "We are the leaders of tomorrow, and it is our duty to steer our communities in the right direction, enhance our environments and create opportunities for future generations.”

This year’s annual tournament will take place from 27 to 29 December in Okatseidhi.

Sport teams in the Omusati region and beyond are encouraged to participate.