German basketball pledges Namibia support

THE German Basketball Association (DBB) reaffirmed its support of Namibian basketball when it signed a memorandum of understanding with its counterpart in Windhoek yesterday.

According to the agreement, the DBB and the Namibia Basketball Federation will encourage and promote basketball activities, including the possible exchange of coaches, referees and staff of the two institutions.The deal binds the two federations officially, with the DBB already having taken Namibia’s basketball development under its wing. Apart from donating basketball equipment and apparel to Namibia, the Germans – through the German Olympic Sports Confederation – had previously seconded expert Frank Albin to coordinate development programmes countrywide. NBF president Kerii Tjitendero, who acknowledged the aid given by the DBB over the years, hailed the agreement as an ‘evolutionary stage’ for the game in Namibia.’We have already been able to achieve many milestones (with the support of the DBB),’ said Tjitendero. ‘This is an evolutionary stage in the progress of basketball in Namibia. Signing this memorandum is something that we are very excited about.’DBB representative Joachim Spagele said his organisation was committed to helping the NBF develop the game in the country.’We really want to support Namibian basketball,’ said Spagele. ‘We will not tell anyone what to do. We want to support and work together. If anybody needs our advice then we will be happy to do so.’ Spagele said the agreement went beyond the game of basketball. The arrangement also highlights the importance of promoting the values and virtues of self-discipline, self-esteem and hard effort fostered by basketball, and helping young people to identify their skills and limitations and to overcome the difficulties they may face in everyday life.Provision is also made to improve the quality of life and foster the independence of young people with disabilities. ‘It is not just a matter of signatures on paper; we hope that this will strengthen the relationship of the two countries through sport,’ said Spagele. Expert Albin said he was prepared to work with those regions that have shown a willingness to develop the game.’The focus is to restructure the NBF. I have told the regions ‘commitment before equipment’,’ the expert said. ‘There is still a lot of work to do.’The Basketball Artist School in Katutura was set to receive 50 pairs of shoes from the German delegates.