Hockey Union launches test series

The Namibia Hockey Union officially launched the five-match Investec indoor hockey test series between Namibia’s women and the South African counterparts recently.
The tournament will take place in the multipurpose sports arena ‘The Dome’ in Swakopmund from 25 November until 27 November.
The launch was attended by Deputy Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service, Agnes Tjongarero, who thanked the sponsors of the event. “The government faces many financial challenges at the moment and we are very grateful for the help from private sponsors,” she said.
Investec Asset Management put down N$40 000 for the organisation for the second year in a row. The Seaflower Group of Companies will support the team with a stunning N$1.03 million for three years, of which around N$140,000 has already been given to the Union for the test series in August. The funds have the main objective of preparing the Namibian ladies for the World Cup qualifiers next year, including training camps and the actual participation at the qualifiers.
The Hockey Union President, Marc Nel urged the team to further close the gap between them and the continents number one ranked team, South Africa.
Nel also used the opportunity to thank the sponsors, without whom an event of such magnitude and prestige could not be possible. “Without the sponsors, our sport wouldn’t survive,” the former hockey ace said.
The Namibian ladies raised eye brows when they secured a victory and a draw when they faced the same opponents in Durban in August of this year. Although the South Africans won the remaining three games, it was welcomed signal that Namibia is improving continually.
“Success brings success. We had decided to continue our sponsorship with the Namibia Hockey Union after what they have achieved over recent years,” said Inocencio Verde, Seaflower Group of Companies General Manager of Operations.
Namibia has moved from position 17 to 14 in the world rankings in recent years and is till this date, the only Namibian senior national side to win a game at a world cup when the bear Uruguay back in 2011.
Ricardo Gustavo of Investec Asset Management stated that he wished the team the best of luck while and pledged to keep the cooperation going, especially, considering the current financial challenges sport faces around the world