July 2001 Sport News Headlines

Wednesday, July 25, 2001 - Web posted at 15:15:37 GMT

Darts team eyes gold medal
HELGE SCHUTZ

NAMIBIA's national darts teams are determined to win gold at the 13th Zone Six Darts Championships which start in Windhoek today.

The manager of the men's national team, Johnny Martin, said that although South Africa would start as the favourites, the Namibian team was looking "very good" at the moment."

"The guys have been in great form during practising recently.

South Africa have a very strong side, but judging on our form, I think we can pull it through," he said.

Darts players from seven countries - Namibia, South Africa, Malawi, Botswana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Zambia - will participate in the tournament which starts with registration at 08h00 at the Windhoek Showgrounds today.

At 08h45 darts players will march from the Kudu statue in Independence Avenue to the Windhoek Municipality where Windhoek mayor Matthew Shikongo will deliver an address.

The opening ceremony starts at 12h00 at the Windhoek Showgrounds' presidents Hall, while the first matches are scheduled for 16h00.

At last year's tournament in Malawi, Namibia's men's team came second, behind Malawi, while Namibia's junior team won the junior category.

Namibia's men's team is as follows:Deon van Zyl, Desmond Frankfort, Adrianus van Rensburg (captain), Pieter van Wyk, Jacobus Botma, Andre Miller, Reginald van der Hoeven, Johnny Tjindunda.

Johnny Martin is the manager.

The women's team is as follows: Annamarie Engelbrecht, Magdalena Sowden, Catharina Riekert, Susanna de Jager (captain) and Danilina de Waal with Mira Januarie as the manager.

The teams received national colours from the Namibia National Sport Commission on Monday.

Donovan Zealand, a member of the Sports Commission said the eyes of the Namibian nation was focussed on the team and asked them to do their best."

"If you are the host of the tournament, the first priority is to win top honours.

You have the advantage that the tournament is taking place in your backyard," he said.

Zealand said that Namibian sport was currently in turmoil because sportsmen and women had lost commitment and pride in their national colours."

"Our sport codes struggle to perform at the top level because we lack commitment and pride and need to revisit our goals," he said.

NATIONAL DARTS TEAM .... The Namibian men's darts team that will participate in the Zone Six Darts Championships which start at the Windhoek Showgrounds today.

Back row from left: Andre Muller, Jacobus Bothma, Reginald van der Hoven, Johnny Tjindunda and Pieter van Wyk.

Front: Adriaan van Rensburg, Donovan Zealand of the Namibia National Sports Commission, Johnny Martin (manager) and Deon van Zyl.

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