Rehoboth has talent – Snyders
From rugby to football, Desmond Snyders has done it all, and hopes Rehoboth's youngsters can emulate what he did for sport.
13 July 2020 | Sports
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
REHOBOTH
Former Welwitschias player Desmond Snyders says Rehoboth can provide more national rugby team players than any other town.
Born into a sporting family, both his brothers Rodney and Ricardo Snyders played rugby, while their father played football, with the support of their mother.
Snyders said he feels that more should be done to groom football and rugby players at the town, adding that very little attention is given to the development of sport in Rehoboth.
“We have so many youngsters who are talented in this country and especially in Rehoboth who can actually go on to become top stars,” he said.
No fixed sponsorship
“The problem is that rugby continues to be an unfortunate sport because it still does not have a fixed sponsorship in the premier league.
“I also believe that there are those young hidden football talents who can also become great in this dusty town.”
He said the fact that Namibia's rugby has qualified for many world cup tournaments has remained one of the greatest achievements for Namibian sport.
“Namibia will become a powerhouse of the world if corporate Namibia invests more into sport.”
Dashed dreams
Snyders was part of Namibia's senior national rugby side that participated at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
He, however, suffered a fractured collarbone just three days before the tournament started, and couldn't take part in the competition.
“I really miss playing rugby because it opened so many doors for me as a person.
“I can only thank the Almighty for giving me this talent and to be able to showcase it,” he said.
Multi-talented
The multi-talented Snyders' early career began on dusty pitches playing street football before he moved on to rugby.
He played for Rehoboth's Friends Football Club when they gained promotion to the MTC Premiership in the 2002/2003 football season.
“I never imagined that I would play rugby for my country because I was more of a football person when I was growing up.
“However, things just changed for me and I ended up playing rugby until my retirement.
“Right now, I play social football to keep fit and enjoy the game I love dearly.”
Catch an interview with Snyders on our weekly Sport Wrap show on Facebook.
REHOBOTH
Former Welwitschias player Desmond Snyders says Rehoboth can provide more national rugby team players than any other town.
Born into a sporting family, both his brothers Rodney and Ricardo Snyders played rugby, while their father played football, with the support of their mother.
Snyders said he feels that more should be done to groom football and rugby players at the town, adding that very little attention is given to the development of sport in Rehoboth.
“We have so many youngsters who are talented in this country and especially in Rehoboth who can actually go on to become top stars,” he said.
No fixed sponsorship
“The problem is that rugby continues to be an unfortunate sport because it still does not have a fixed sponsorship in the premier league.
“I also believe that there are those young hidden football talents who can also become great in this dusty town.”
He said the fact that Namibia's rugby has qualified for many world cup tournaments has remained one of the greatest achievements for Namibian sport.
“Namibia will become a powerhouse of the world if corporate Namibia invests more into sport.”
Dashed dreams
Snyders was part of Namibia's senior national rugby side that participated at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
He, however, suffered a fractured collarbone just three days before the tournament started, and couldn't take part in the competition.
“I really miss playing rugby because it opened so many doors for me as a person.
“I can only thank the Almighty for giving me this talent and to be able to showcase it,” he said.
Multi-talented
The multi-talented Snyders' early career began on dusty pitches playing street football before he moved on to rugby.
He played for Rehoboth's Friends Football Club when they gained promotion to the MTC Premiership in the 2002/2003 football season.
“I never imagined that I would play rugby for my country because I was more of a football person when I was growing up.
“However, things just changed for me and I ended up playing rugby until my retirement.
“Right now, I play social football to keep fit and enjoy the game I love dearly.”
Catch an interview with Snyders on our weekly Sport Wrap show on Facebook.
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