Namibia clinch B section at badminton

SA Country Districts NAMIBIA’S badminton national team was crowned as the 2006 B-section winners during the South African Country Districts (SACD) Championship, held in Oudtshoorn recently.

The Namibian team has now been promoted to the A section after their win and will be expected to compete in that division next year. Country Districts players come from rural areas and in Namibia, are chosen from all towns, villages and settlements outside Windhoek.This year, the Namibian team consisted of players from Oranjemund, Omaruru and Outjo.The Namibian team, before moving onto the B section, were also victorious in the C-section of the championships some years ago.In their first match of the B section this year, Namibia routed the Stravidis Invitation team 6-1, before moving on the beat Natal Country Districts with the same margin.In their next match, Namibia were superior in their match against Northern Cape, beating them 5-2, while their next match produced another 6-1 victory over Southern Cape.The Namibians rounded off their tour with a 5-2 win over North-West Country Districts to win the B-section.Namibia came first with 10 points, 28 for and 7 against, followed by Stravidis Invitation team (19 for : 16 against) and North-West Country Districts (also 19 for : 16 against).Individually, Riaan du Plooy was graded as the strongest men player in the B-section and Louis Kotze was graded third.Amongst the women, Ella Scholtz was graded first and Lynn du Preez second.Individual championships were also held during the SACD Championships.Ella Scholtz progressed to the semi-finals of the women’s singles, while Ella and Lynn du Preez progressed to the women’s doubles semi-finals.Unfortunately, the Namibians were knocked out at this stage.In the men’s individual championships, Lourens Venter and Louis Kotze were knocked out in the first round of the men’s doubles, but managed to win the plate competition.Based on the individual performance of all players over all sections, Ella Scholtz was graded fourth-strongest lady and Riaan du Plooys ninth-strongest man.This was an exceptional performance by the rural Namibians.BACK HOME Back in Namibia, the last tournament of the current badminton season is the Namibian Open, to be held in Oranjemund on October 20 and 21.The tournament is open to all badminton players across the sub-continent.Players from South African provinces such as Griquas and Boland are traditionally well represented because the venue, Oranjemund, suits them.In addition, Oranjemunders are well known for their hospitality and organisational skills and this tournament is the highlight on the annual calendar.The annual general meeting of the Badminton Union of Namibia (BUN) will be held on Saturday evening, October 21, and all Namibian members and clubs are requested to attend.BUN also gave notice that possible changes to the constitution of the union will be discussed at the AGM, an agenda for which will soon be sent to all clubs.Players wishing to attend need to get security clearance from the authorities to enter the restricted Sperrgebiet area around Oranjemund.They should contact Lynn du Preez at (063) 23 6667 during office hours or 23 3696 after hours or at 083 976 2077.E-mail can also be sent to franslyn@iway.na for registration, clearance and accommodation.Fax a copy of your ID or passport to Lynn at (063) 23 8352 at least 14 days before the tournament.Entries close on October 2 and entry fees amount to N$150, including accommodation.Country Districts players come from rural areas and in Namibia, are chosen from all towns, villages and settlements outside Windhoek.This year, the Namibian team consisted of players from Oranjemund, Omaruru and Outjo.The Namibian team, before moving onto the B section, were also victorious in the C-section of the championships some years ago.In their first match of the B section this year, Namibia routed the Stravidis Invitation team 6-1, before moving on the beat Natal Country Districts with the same margin.In their next match, Namibia were superior in their match against Northern Cape, beating them 5-2, while their next match produced another 6-1 victory over Southern Cape.The Namibians rounded off their tour with a 5-2 win over North-West Country Districts to win the B-section.Namibia came first with 10 points, 28 for and 7 against, followed by Stravidis Invitation team (19 for : 16 against) and North-West Country Districts (also 19 for : 16 against).Individually, Riaan du Plooy was graded as the strongest men player in the B-section and Louis Kotze was graded third.Amongst the women, Ella Scholtz was graded first and Lynn du Preez second.Individual championships were also held during the SACD Championships.Ella Scholtz progressed to the semi-finals of the women’s singles, while Ella and Lynn du Preez progressed to the women’s doubles semi-finals.Unfortunately, the Namibians were knocked out at this stage.In the men’s individual championships, Lourens Venter and Louis Kotze were knocked out in the first round of the men’s doubles, but managed to win the plate competition.Based on the individual performance of all players over all sections, Ella Scholtz was graded fourth-strongest lady and Riaan du Plooys ninth-strongest man.This was an exceptional performance by the rural Namibians.BACK HOME Back in Namibia, the last tournament of the current badminton season is the Namibian Open, to be held in Oranjemund on October 20 and 21.The tournament is open to all badminton players across the sub-continent.Players from South African provinces such as Griquas and Boland are traditionally well represented because the venue, Oranjemund, suits them.In addition, Oranjemunders are well known for their hospitality and organisational skills and this tournament is the highlight on the annual calendar.The annual general meeting of the Badminton Union of Namibia (BUN) will be held on Saturday evening, October 21, and all Namibian members and clubs are requested to attend.BUN also gave notice that possible changes to the constitution of the union will be discussed at the AGM, an agenda for which will soon be sent to all clubs.Players wishing to attend need to get security clearance from the authorities to enter the restricted Sperrgebiet area around Oranjemund.They should contact Lynn du Preez at (063) 23 6667 during office hours or 23 3696 after hours or at 083 976 2077.E-mail can also be sent to franslyn@iway.na for registration, clearance and accommodation.Fax a copy of your ID or passport to Lynn at (063) 23 8352 at least 14 days before the tournament.Entries close on October 2 and entry fees amount to N$150, including accommodation.