Bowling national team head coach Axel Krahenbuhl says his charges have the international experience to take on the very best at the upcoming Commonwealth Games slated from 23 July to 2 August in Glasgow, Scotland.
Speaking to The Namibian Sport, Krahenbuhl says every player selected has competed on the international stage and has previously played against many of the world’s top bowlers.
“That experience gives the team confidence and a clear understanding of what is required to compete at the highest level.
“The team manager and I also bring extensive international experience, having travelled to numerous World Bowls Championships, Commonwealth Games and other major international competitions over the years.”
He adds that the experience enabled them to prepare the players for the demands of elite competition and provided the tactical and technical support required throughout the games.
“Our greatest strengths are our resilience, adaptability and team unity. The players have worked exceptionally hard throughout the preparation period and have developed a strong understanding of one another’s games,” Krahenbuhl says.
“Their determination, discipline and ability to remain calm under pressure will be key strengths in Glasgow.”
On the team’s preparation leading to Glasgow, he says preparation was thorough, structured and purposeful.
He says the team had weekly training sessions, with match play focusing specifically on the Commonwealth Games format.
He adds that technical and tactical coaching, mental preparation, physical conditioning and recovery monitoring have all formed part of their programme.
“We have also received the official competition draw and schedule, which has added to the excitement. Namibia faces quality opposition across all four disciplines.”
Krahenbuhl acknowledges that it will be a challenging competition but he is looking forward to the showdown.
“We believe we have done everything possible to prepare the team. The players have trained consistently, played numerous matches focused on the Commonwealth Games format, gained valuable international experience, and are supported by an experienced management team.
“We leave for Glasgow excited, confident and proud to represent Namibia. We know the competition will be tough, but we are ready to embrace the challenge and give our very best in every match. Our goal is to make Namibia proud,” the coach says.
He says the team’s training sessions focused on quick line and length adjustment, effective communication, and making sound decisions under pressure.
“While the Commonwealth Games will be played on an indoor portable rink, we are fortunate to have two facilities at the coast with greens that closely match the speed and characteristics of the portable rink in Glasgow.
“We have deliberately incorporated these facilities into our preparation, allowing the players to become comfortable with the pace and draw required.”
INTERNATIONAL COACHES
Krahenbuhl says international coaching sessions focused on developing adaptable game plans rather than relying on one style of play.
“We have worked extensively on controlling the head, shot selection, reading changing conditions, and maintaining composure under pressure. The emphasis has been on trusting the process, staying patient, and taking one end at a time.”
He says athletes have embraced the monitoring tools as part of their daily preparation, which has helped them monitor recovery, identify fatigue early, and ensure each player is physically and mentally ready for training and competition.
“It has become an important part of our overall high-performance programme. Everything has come together well. We received our official competition bowls from the Namibia National Olympic Committee, with each player receiving a red and a blue set as required for competition.”
Competition:
Men’s Singles: Australia, Jersey, Cook Islands, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Botswana.
Women’s Singles: Norfolk Island, Scotland, Kenya, Fiji and Tonga.
Women’s Pairs: England, India, South Africa, Malta and Tonga.
Men’s Pairs: England, India, Cook Islands, Falkland Islands and Botswana.
