NIIHA shaping the future of the game
The president of the Namibia Ice and Inline Hockey Association, Bernd Bajorat, says the efforts made by the association will produce big results in the future.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
WINDHOEK
The inline hockey youth development trials held by the Namibia Ice and Inline Hockey Association (NIIHA) at the DTS over the weekend produced 46 players who were selected to represent Namibia at the State Wars to be held in St Peters, Missouri, next year.
The trials held over the weekend attracted close to 70 young players from all over the country.
Great improvement
According to a press release issued by NIIHA, this is a great improvement from two years ago when they attracted 45 players aged between 7 and 12 for the State Wars tournament.
For that tournament, 33 players were selected to represent Namibia. The players won seven medals in seven divisions, including five gold.
Namibia now wants to replicate this performance next year.
“We were very happy with the turnout this year.
“There is a high level of excitement amongst the players and the parents.
“Everyone is energised and eager about the future of the sport and the efforts we are making to develop our programme from the young ages will have a big return in the future.
“The opportunities the tournament creates have a transcendent ability and they open up the world to these young Namibian players. State Wars has nearly 20 countries competing and nearly 400 teams playing.
Building a healthy network
“These events are not just about performing well, but also being healthy physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Coming back with new experiences, friends and a better understanding of the world is something we are happy to be able to offer the young Namibian players and their families,” NIIHA president Bajorat said.
Bajorat went on to add that last year one of their players, George Tjaahapi, delighted fans with his skills and drew the attention of American professional ice hockey player and two-time Stanley Cup winner Patrick 'Pat' Maroon.
“The two have become friends and they regularly keep in touch. Tjaahapi was selected for teams again this year and he looks forward to representing Namibia once again,” added Bajorat.
WINDHOEK
The inline hockey youth development trials held by the Namibia Ice and Inline Hockey Association (NIIHA) at the DTS over the weekend produced 46 players who were selected to represent Namibia at the State Wars to be held in St Peters, Missouri, next year.
The trials held over the weekend attracted close to 70 young players from all over the country.
Great improvement
According to a press release issued by NIIHA, this is a great improvement from two years ago when they attracted 45 players aged between 7 and 12 for the State Wars tournament.
For that tournament, 33 players were selected to represent Namibia. The players won seven medals in seven divisions, including five gold.
Namibia now wants to replicate this performance next year.
“We were very happy with the turnout this year.
“There is a high level of excitement amongst the players and the parents.
“Everyone is energised and eager about the future of the sport and the efforts we are making to develop our programme from the young ages will have a big return in the future.
“The opportunities the tournament creates have a transcendent ability and they open up the world to these young Namibian players. State Wars has nearly 20 countries competing and nearly 400 teams playing.
Building a healthy network
“These events are not just about performing well, but also being healthy physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Coming back with new experiences, friends and a better understanding of the world is something we are happy to be able to offer the young Namibian players and their families,” NIIHA president Bajorat said.
Bajorat went on to add that last year one of their players, George Tjaahapi, delighted fans with his skills and drew the attention of American professional ice hockey player and two-time Stanley Cup winner Patrick 'Pat' Maroon.
“The two have become friends and they regularly keep in touch. Tjaahapi was selected for teams again this year and he looks forward to representing Namibia once again,” added Bajorat.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article