Coastal Pirates to host top inline hockey event

FIVE major inline hockey clubs from South Africa and Botswana will line up against the best Namibia has to offer, when the Coastal Pirates host their biggest-ever annual inline hockey tournament this weekend.

The international tournament is also the final showdown for Namibian clubs involved in the fiercely contested 2004 Namibia Inline Skating Associations (NISA) national league. Swakopmund’s SFC hall is the venue for three full days of non-stop action that will keep spectators on the edge of their seats.This inline extravaganza begins at 11h30 on Friday morning and ends on Sunday evening with the tournament prize-giving and the results of this year’s NISA League Championship.Big names from South Africa include mixed Gauteng/ Cape outfit “The Hurricanes” in the Men’s Open Division and “The Angels” from Cape Town in the Ladies competition.Also from Cape Town, “The Bulldogs” will make a bid for the 16 and under division, while Boland’s “Bridge House Phoenix” have designs on the 14 and under crown.From Botswana “The Mukwa Leafs” make a welcome comeback to the Coastal Pirates tournament with teams entered in the Masters and 10& Under divisions.Meanwhile, Namibia’s top four inline hockey clubs will do battle in eight age divisions from 10 and under through to Men’s and Ladies Open.They will compete in 69 games, played back to back from early morning till late at night throughout the course of the tournament, which is sponsored this year by local company Simpex, agents for ‘Amila’ cooldrink.Throughout the season, the Coastal Pirates have faced tough competition from Windhoek clubs Cazadores and Kamikaze, while the once lowly Scorpions club from Otjiwarongo has developed into a serious contender, particularly in the younger age divisions.Nevertheless, the coastal club can comfortably expect to top the league in the 10 and under, 14 and under, Ladies and Men’s Open divisions.Cazadores already have the 12 and under and Masters NISA league titles in the bag, and are challenging hard for the 16 and under and 18 and under titles.For the tournament titles it’s anybody’s guess.The home team will have the advantage of a familiar rink, but with such a large and varied challenge, nail-biting action and great spectator sport are guaranteed.Entry to the tournament is free and there will be food and drinks on sale from early morning till late at night.On Saturday evening there will be music, dancing and a party in the tournament tent.Swakopmund’s SFC hall is the venue for three full days of non-stop action that will keep spectators on the edge of their seats.This inline extravaganza begins at 11h30 on Friday morning and ends on Sunday evening with the tournament prize-giving and the results of this year’s NISA League Championship.Big names from South Africa include mixed Gauteng/ Cape outfit “The Hurricanes” in the Men’s Open Division and “The Angels” from Cape Town in the Ladies competition.Also from Cape Town, “The Bulldogs” will make a bid for the 16 and under division, while Boland’s “Bridge House Phoenix” have designs on the 14 and under crown.From Botswana “The Mukwa Leafs” make a welcome comeback to the Coastal Pirates tournament with teams entered in the Masters and 10& Under divisions.Meanwhile, Namibia’s top four inline hockey clubs will do battle in eight age divisions from 10 and under through to Men’s and Ladies Open.They will compete in 69 games, played back to back from early morning till late at night throughout the course of the tournament, which is sponsored this year by local company Simpex, agents for ‘Amila’ cooldrink.Throughout the season, the Coastal Pirates have faced tough competition from Windhoek clubs Cazadores and Kamikaze, while the once lowly Scorpions club from Otjiwarongo has developed into a serious contender, particularly in the younger age divisions.Nevertheless, the coastal club can comfortably expect to top the league in the 10 and under, 14 and under, Ladies and Men’s Open divisions.Cazadores already have the 12 and under and Masters NISA league titles in the bag, and are challenging hard for the 16 and under and 18 and under titles.For the tournament titles it’s anybody’s guess.The home team will have the advantage of a familiar rink, but with such a large and varied challenge, nail-biting action and great spectator sport are guaranteed.Entry to the tournament is free and there will be food and drinks on sale from early morning till late at night.On Saturday evening there will be music, dancing and a party in the tournament tent.