The Namibia Hockey Union (NHU) has announced the men’s and women’s teams that will participate in the Indoor Hockey World Cup scheduled for Pretoria, South Africa from 05 to 11 February 2023.
The squads were announced by NHU President Reagon Graig in Windhoek on Thursday, with each team comprising 12 players and seven officials.
Graig said preparations had gone well and they are looking forward to competing in the sixth edition of the International Hockey Federation Indoor Hockey World Cup tournament.
Also speaking was Deputy Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service, Emma Kantema-Gaomas, who said Namibia was sending two teams that are to be reckoned with to the tournament.
“We need to continue improving on how we do things. Reaching the quarter-finals will require the right spirit and the whole Namibian nation will be rooting for you to do your best. I call upon the NHU to roll out the sport to all the 14 regions of Namibia,” Kantema-Gaomas said.
She said the future of the sport depends on a sound developmental programme which will enable NHU to provide an equal opportunity for every Namibian to participate.
A total of 12 teams will be participating in this year’s World Cup, with Namibia being the only country sending both male and female teams besides hosts South Africa.
This will be the second time Namibia’s men’s team will be participating in the World Cup, while the women’s team will be competing for the third time.
Namibia are the defending African champions, having won the title early last year, and the first-ever Hockey Fives’ champions following their victory in Egypt late last year.
The squads are as follows:
Women’s team:
Margreth Mengo (captain), Sunelle Ludwig (vice-captain), Petro Stoffberg, Berencia Diamond, Gillian Hermanus, Jivanka Kruger, Kaela Schimming, Catlin Gilles, Azaylee Philander, Jaime Gilles, Armin van Staden and Danja Meyer.
Men’s team:
David Strauss (captain), Richter Van Rooyen (vice-captain), Jacobs Pieter, Dakota Hansen, David Britz, Nicolaas Neethling, Dylan Finch, Liam Hermanus, Percy Barthram, Fagan Hansen, Brynn Cleak and John-Paul Britz.
(NAMPA)
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
