Indoor hockey hits the ground running
Deputy minister of sport Emma Kantema-Gaomas says this year Namibian sport will kick off with a bang as she expects the hockey teams to perform well in Belgium.
11 January 2022 | Sports
JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA
WINDHOEK
Deputy minister of sport Emma Kantema-Gaomas has expressed confidence in the national men’s and women’s indoor hockey teams ahead of the World Cup slated for next month in Belgium.
Kantema-Gaomas yesterday visited the women’s indoor hockey team at the Windhoek showgrounds.
She maintained that the work of the year 2022 has started and she expects it to be an epic sports year.
“As a country, we are really excited that the Namibian flag will be hoisted in Belgium.
“I am really urging the Namibian nation to rally behind the team and please let us support them.
“I am here at this training ground to give them the moral support they need before taking off for Belgium,” Kantema-Gaomas said.
The minister further encouraged all federations to hit the ground running and kick off with activities in order to maintain last year’s fantastic sport spirit.
Team in shape
National hockey team coach Erwin Handura assured the minister that the team will be in the best shape possible.
Handura had a busy festive season getting the team fired up for another world cup appearance.
The team had two weeks off, but Handura remained busy keeping tags on the players in order to avoid any surprises.
The team is currently playing several friendly matches before leaving for the Netherlands on Saturday, where they are expected to have their final preparations.
“It is getting closer and exciting now because we are just a few days away from marking another appearance at the prestigious event.
“We have high hopes of improving our position because last time we won two, drew two and lost two.
“This time around we are aiming to improve on that and finish in the top six, which is an automatic qualification to the next world cup,” Handura said.
The team last week played four training matches and will continue this week.
The hockey team will then leave for the Netherlands, where they will be based from 17 January to 31 January.
Team list
Women’s team: Petro Stoffberg, Barencia Diamond, Magreth Mengo, Sunelle Ludwig, Gillian Hermanus, Azaylee Phillander, Caitlin Gillies, Jivanka Kruger, Kaela Schimming, Armin van Staden, Danja Meyer and Jaimie Gillies.
Non-travelling reserves: Tara Myburg, Anthea Coetzee, Jaimie Henckert, Jahntwa Kruger and Britta Haenzel.
WINDHOEK
Deputy minister of sport Emma Kantema-Gaomas has expressed confidence in the national men’s and women’s indoor hockey teams ahead of the World Cup slated for next month in Belgium.
Kantema-Gaomas yesterday visited the women’s indoor hockey team at the Windhoek showgrounds.
She maintained that the work of the year 2022 has started and she expects it to be an epic sports year.
“As a country, we are really excited that the Namibian flag will be hoisted in Belgium.
“I am really urging the Namibian nation to rally behind the team and please let us support them.
“I am here at this training ground to give them the moral support they need before taking off for Belgium,” Kantema-Gaomas said.
The minister further encouraged all federations to hit the ground running and kick off with activities in order to maintain last year’s fantastic sport spirit.
Team in shape
National hockey team coach Erwin Handura assured the minister that the team will be in the best shape possible.
Handura had a busy festive season getting the team fired up for another world cup appearance.
The team had two weeks off, but Handura remained busy keeping tags on the players in order to avoid any surprises.
The team is currently playing several friendly matches before leaving for the Netherlands on Saturday, where they are expected to have their final preparations.
“It is getting closer and exciting now because we are just a few days away from marking another appearance at the prestigious event.
“We have high hopes of improving our position because last time we won two, drew two and lost two.
“This time around we are aiming to improve on that and finish in the top six, which is an automatic qualification to the next world cup,” Handura said.
The team last week played four training matches and will continue this week.
The hockey team will then leave for the Netherlands, where they will be based from 17 January to 31 January.
Team list
Women’s team: Petro Stoffberg, Barencia Diamond, Magreth Mengo, Sunelle Ludwig, Gillian Hermanus, Azaylee Phillander, Caitlin Gillies, Jivanka Kruger, Kaela Schimming, Armin van Staden, Danja Meyer and Jaimie Gillies.
Non-travelling reserves: Tara Myburg, Anthea Coetzee, Jaimie Henckert, Jahntwa Kruger and Britta Haenzel.
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