The year that was

The year 2017 had its ups and downs in sports. Many achieved great accolades, while others found themselves on the wrong side of the post. There are some administrators who have been unimpressive; while others have done all they can to promote the beautiful game many have come to love.

STARS

Julius ‘Blue Machine’ Indongo took Sports Achiever of the Year, as well as Sportsman of the Year. The boxer beat Ricky Burns from Scotland but lost to Terence Crawford this year. Hard work surely paid off. Helalia Johannes also scooped Sports Women of the Year for her exploits.

YOUNG ACHIEVER

Delano Müller won the Namibian Junior Sportsman of the Year award for a second time. The athlete with an explosive kick and punch added the award and N$100 000 prize money to a number of other accolades he achieved in 2017. He won a Legacy boxing title in July, a gold medal at the Battle of Atlanta World Championships in June and two gold medals at the Jungle War competition in March.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

The Women’s Super League was dormant this year. The footballers suffered a great deal due to inactiveness. It is hoped that sponsors can come on board to assist the league next year.

TO WATCH OUT

Tristan de Lange is already a rising star in the world of Namibian cycling. Dirk de Bod clinched bronze medal in the compound cadet men's category at the first leg of the European Youth Archery Championships this year. Local boxers Harry Simon Jr, Max ‘Kwaludhi Boy’ Ipinge have been doing exceptionally well in the paid ranks.

GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT

The Namibia Inline Hockey team qualified for the Indoor Hockey World Cup to be played in Berlin next year. The team beat South Africa in a tough match to reach the tournament.

PROUDEST MOMENT

The Brave Warriors qualified for the 2018 CHAN tournament after beating Comoros Islands 2-0 in the second leg of their qualifying tie. The tournament, which is only open for local-based players, will be played in Morocco next year and it is Namibia’s first ever CHAN qualification. The team also won the 2017 Dr Hage Geingob Cup after beating Zimbabwe 3-1.

BEST DEVELOPMENT

The Namibia Football Association (NFA) Galz and Goals programme introduced an under-20 league this year. Netball, volleyball and basketball pitches in the Khomas and Ohangwena regions are being rehabilitated through a joint venture between FIFA, the German Football Association (DFB), the NFA and the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ).

DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH

Patrick Kauta, chairperson of NPL. He hardly picks up calls or responds to text messages. We are here to promote the interest of players. This type of behaviour should be avoided in 2018. Let’s work together.

MOST OUTSPOKEN

Olsen Kahiriri of the player’s union does not mince his words. He has the best interest of players at heart and has been fighting tirelessly for their voices to be heard. Let’s see what impact he has in 2018.

TO BE MISSED

The world of sport will surely miss cyclist Costa Seibeb and, Elroy Beukes. Seibeb died in a Windhoek hospital after a car accident. Beukes was hit by a car while cycling. Robbie Savage, the Brave Warriors superfan died after a long illness. The nation will surely miss these greats.

SURPRISING TURN

Nestor Tobias lost Julius Indongo from his stable recently. There were allegations of unpaid fees to the boxer. Former world champion Paulus 'The Rock' Ambunda as well as heavyweight fighter Vikapita Meroro and Wilberforce Shihepo also left the successful stable, joining Kiriata Kamanya's Salute Boxing Academy this year. Tobias also lost his trainer Imms ‘AC’ Moses.

WELCOME RELIEF

The Namibian Premier League kicked off in October after a year in hiatus. The league came to a halt at the end of last season after NPL failed to secure sponsorship after its three-year deal with MTC came to an end.

After discussions the NPL was given a lifeline when MTC and FNB came to its rescue with N$15 million and N$5 million respectively.

WHAT HAPPENED MOMENT

The International Olympic Committee suspended Frank Fredericks as a member just days after he was charged in a French investigation over suspected bribery in the 2016 Olympic host city vote. Namibia's only Olympic medallist has maintained his innocence. Only time will tell.

NEVER DISAPPOINTS

Namibian Para-athlete Johannes Nambala won a silver medal at the 2017 International Paralympic Committee World Athletics championships in London.

GREATEST EXPORT

Brave Gladiators poster girl Zenatha Coleman was ranked by world renowned online football site Goal.com as one of Africa’s Top 10 most outstanding women footballers for 2017, following Coleman’s remarkable exploits with Lithuanian club Gintra Universitetas. The Namibian had an excellent season with her team as she helped propel the club to their 16th Lithuanian Women’s Premier League title win.

ALWAYS IMPROVING

Michelle Vorster won the African Continental MTB XCO Championships, 100 km Nedbank Cycle Challenge as well as the recent Nedbank Desert Dash where she took part in the two-person category this year. The woman is unstoppable and continues to show other women that they too can achieve whatever they put their mind to.

RECOGNITION

Seventeen sporting heroes were recognised at the MTC/NSC Sports Awards in the field of football, professional boxing, athletics, swimming, golf and rugby. An amount of N$10 000 was offered to each legend as well as free entrance to all MTC-sponsored events.

MEGA OFFER

Namibian boxing trainer Imms Moses was appointed as a global matchmaker for the Indian Professional Boxing Association (IPBA). The appointment is for one year, and will be on renewable terms. This is the first time this has happened in the country.

That’s it from us here at Sport Wrap. Make sure you share sporting events, activities and put us in contact with athletes we cannot reach. Goodbye till 2018.

LIMBA MUPETAMI