The Namibia Handball Federation (NHF) kicked off its inaugural coaching clinic on Tuesday in Windhoek, which saw 36 teachers from seven regions taking part.
The workshop concludes on Friday and is conducted by the technical director of the Handball Association of Zambia (HAZ), Chilekwa Bwalya and Josab Changa, the HAZ’s secretary general.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Tuesday, Namibia Sports Commission Chief Administrator, Freddy Mwiya called on the teachers to learn as much as they can, adding that sport plays a vital role in fostering human social and political development.
“Handball is a new sport in Namibia, get as many skills from the instructors and plough back to your respective schools. We will support you as you develop the art of handball,” said Mwiya.
Victor Banda, zone six president and council member of the African Handball Confederation, said Namibia has an opportunity to produce competitive handball players, who can challenge the best on the continent.
“We want NHF to start participating in all handball activities locally, regionally and continentally to create opportunities for the youth to realise their dreams through sports. The onus is now on you teachers to identify talent to help create a career through handball by being coaches, referees and other officials,” Banda said.
He added that handball is a sport which caters for both male and female participants including paralympic and beach handball variations.
Banda explained that handball gives opportunities to the youth to earn a living and support others through the sport.
He called on NHF officials to tap into resources like the solidarity funds from the Namibia National Olympic Committee to improve the sport, adding that Namibia is doing a good job by introducing the sport at the primary school level, as this will allow athletes to be developed at an early age.
“Handball is the cheapest sport, which is also a mass participation sport that allows many youths to enjoy it. You are the people on the ground and you have to make the ground active,” he explained, concluding that he is looking forward to seeing Namibia participating in international school tournaments in the near future.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency