Namibian sports stars flourish abroad
Over the years many local sport stars had no hope of ever making it abroad, even for trials. Selection was tough and the road was not travelled by many as there were few opportunities available.
But with many developments and sports agents travelling long distances to scout for players in various sports codes, Namibia has become a much-visited country where athletes are picked to journey for trials across the borders and if focused and determined, make a name for themselves in various clubs.
With the right discipline, attitude, mentors and available programmes footballers like Zenatha Coleman, Annoushka Kordom, Vewe Kotjipati, Erich Nelenge, Ryan Nyambe, Lazarus Kaimbi, Sydney Urikhob, rugby stars like Torsten van Jaarsveld, PJ van Lill, cricket player Christi Viljoen, swimmer Alexander Skinner, hockey player Brynn-Ammond Cleake, netball star Jaumbuaije 'Bietjie' Zauana and many others have placed their names on the list of sporting stars making a name for themselves in foreign lands, however small or big their impact might be.
Coleman, who is a frequent call up in the women's senior side, plays for Gintra Universitetas in Lithuania and has been the highest goal scorer in the league. Coleman, speaking from Lithuania, said her experience of playing in the women's championships had been incredible.
“The players I meet on the field have played in the world cup for the respective countries. I am the only African here and have competed against and with teammates from USA, Serbia, Chile and Russia. I am learning a lot and this experience will help me when I play for my country,” she said. Another female footballer, Kordom, who plays and studies at Corban University in the US, is on a full scholarship for four years and is a product of the Galz & Goals programme.
“Playing in the US is very different than playing back home. In the past year I have definitely learned a lot. I also believe I have grown a lot as a player because the coaches here have invested a lot of time in improving my weaknesses and I am pretty excited to help the national team with the skills I have picked up here when the need arises.”
Nailenge, who plays for Cercle Brugge in Belgium, also shared his experience of playing overseas.
“The experience has been amazing however overwhelming. I was in strange lands but I got used to living the life I wished for, however that is not where I will end, it's only a start as I want to one day play for the Brave Warriors and also in Spain or France someday.”
Besides football, he is studying towards an honours degree in marketing.
Netball's golden girl Zauana plays for Western Cape, South Africa.
The Namibian goal-shooter made her presence felt in the neighbouring country by helping her team to win the Spar Netball National Championships in Durban and also walking away with the goal shooter of the tournament award.
Swimmer Alexander Skinner, who is studying in Cleveland, USA, broke the longstanding record of Heiko Horn in the 200m freestyle in the age group 17-18 last year in Namibia.
He was one of 36 athletes from across the world to receive a FINA scholarship in 2017. The scholarship was designed to help the athletes to qualify and participate at the 2017 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. The scholarship also presented the athletes with an option to train at a FINA-approved training centre in Thailand, United States of America and Senegal. He chose the US.
Other stars who play for Namibia abroad include Peter Shalulile (Football Highland Park), Willem 'Dudes' Mwedihanga, Benson Shilongo, Hendrico Botes (football for Platinum Stars), Lazarus Kaimbi (football in Thailand) and Sydney Urikhob, (football in Thailand).
All these players' paths have been laid by many others who also played abroad for years back in the day, including Eliphas Shivute (Scotland and China), Quinton Jacobs (South Africa and Scotland), Mohammed Ouseb, Heini Isaacks (Football in South Africa and Norway), Paulus Shipanga, Richard Gariseb, Ronny Kananelo (Football in South Africa), and Collin Benjamin (Football in Germany). It has not been an easy road but because of their determination, hard work and skill these stars are enjoying the fruits provided by their investment in the sports they love. Young player Kordom encouraged many others who want to play abroad to work hard and to focus on their dreams. She said everything is possible with the right mindset.
“There are many opportunities out there, seek them out, and pursue your dreams,” she said.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
With the right discipline, attitude, mentors and available programmes footballers like Zenatha Coleman, Annoushka Kordom, Vewe Kotjipati, Erich Nelenge, Ryan Nyambe, Lazarus Kaimbi, Sydney Urikhob, rugby stars like Torsten van Jaarsveld, PJ van Lill, cricket player Christi Viljoen, swimmer Alexander Skinner, hockey player Brynn-Ammond Cleake, netball star Jaumbuaije 'Bietjie' Zauana and many others have placed their names on the list of sporting stars making a name for themselves in foreign lands, however small or big their impact might be.
Coleman, who is a frequent call up in the women's senior side, plays for Gintra Universitetas in Lithuania and has been the highest goal scorer in the league. Coleman, speaking from Lithuania, said her experience of playing in the women's championships had been incredible.
“The players I meet on the field have played in the world cup for the respective countries. I am the only African here and have competed against and with teammates from USA, Serbia, Chile and Russia. I am learning a lot and this experience will help me when I play for my country,” she said. Another female footballer, Kordom, who plays and studies at Corban University in the US, is on a full scholarship for four years and is a product of the Galz & Goals programme.
“Playing in the US is very different than playing back home. In the past year I have definitely learned a lot. I also believe I have grown a lot as a player because the coaches here have invested a lot of time in improving my weaknesses and I am pretty excited to help the national team with the skills I have picked up here when the need arises.”
Nailenge, who plays for Cercle Brugge in Belgium, also shared his experience of playing overseas.
“The experience has been amazing however overwhelming. I was in strange lands but I got used to living the life I wished for, however that is not where I will end, it's only a start as I want to one day play for the Brave Warriors and also in Spain or France someday.”
Besides football, he is studying towards an honours degree in marketing.
Netball's golden girl Zauana plays for Western Cape, South Africa.
The Namibian goal-shooter made her presence felt in the neighbouring country by helping her team to win the Spar Netball National Championships in Durban and also walking away with the goal shooter of the tournament award.
Swimmer Alexander Skinner, who is studying in Cleveland, USA, broke the longstanding record of Heiko Horn in the 200m freestyle in the age group 17-18 last year in Namibia.
He was one of 36 athletes from across the world to receive a FINA scholarship in 2017. The scholarship was designed to help the athletes to qualify and participate at the 2017 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. The scholarship also presented the athletes with an option to train at a FINA-approved training centre in Thailand, United States of America and Senegal. He chose the US.
Other stars who play for Namibia abroad include Peter Shalulile (Football Highland Park), Willem 'Dudes' Mwedihanga, Benson Shilongo, Hendrico Botes (football for Platinum Stars), Lazarus Kaimbi (football in Thailand) and Sydney Urikhob, (football in Thailand).
All these players' paths have been laid by many others who also played abroad for years back in the day, including Eliphas Shivute (Scotland and China), Quinton Jacobs (South Africa and Scotland), Mohammed Ouseb, Heini Isaacks (Football in South Africa and Norway), Paulus Shipanga, Richard Gariseb, Ronny Kananelo (Football in South Africa), and Collin Benjamin (Football in Germany). It has not been an easy road but because of their determination, hard work and skill these stars are enjoying the fruits provided by their investment in the sports they love. Young player Kordom encouraged many others who want to play abroad to work hard and to focus on their dreams. She said everything is possible with the right mindset.
“There are many opportunities out there, seek them out, and pursue your dreams,” she said.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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