Netball Namibia (NN) has announced a training squad of 21 players that will go through their paces as the DebMarine Desert Jewels prepare for the Africa World Cup qualifiers.

The 2023 Netball World Cup qualifiers will be held from 21 to 27 August 2022, in Pretoria, South Africa with the World Cup set for 28 July to 06 August 2023 at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town, South Africa.

In an interview with Nampa on Wednesday, NN vice-president of marketing and sponsorships, Rebekka Goagoses said the Desert Jewels started with training last week and 80 per cent of the players are around.

‘Those in South Africa will probably join the team by the weekend and by 09 August we will know when to travel to South Africa as well as trim the team to the final 15 players of which 12 will travel,” she said.

The team selection will be dealt with by a technical team that is currently putting players through their paces.

Goagoses also said the national coach stepped down from her duties after their return from Malawi where they competed in the Confederation of Southern African Netball Associations (COSANA) Tri-Nations in June this year.

“Our assistant coach and a team of experts will therefore take the team to the qualifiers. As a federation we are rendering them all the support that they need to prepare well for this competition,” she said.

She further said even though the DebMarine Namibia sponsorship is helping them, they are still in need of funds to cover other needs for the team.

The 21-member DebMarine Desert Jewels training squad is as follows:

Defence: Mwale Mulenamaswe, Cornelia Mupenda, Emmy Kutako, Berne Nel, Tjeripo Kambirongo, and Venjekerea Maharero.

Midcourt: Loide Hanyanya, Monica Gomases, Imbileni Hambeleni, Anna Shipanga, Sunshine Murangi, Pupe Kandovazu, Victoria (Morning) Hasheela and Selma Bittler.

Shooters: Rachelle Roetz, Anna Kaspar, Nelandre Mostert, Eve Kamutushi, Tusnelde Fillemon, Louise Kasehua and Gola Ehrenfriede Uahongoro.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency