Namibia in badminton test

THREE teams of the Namibia Badminton Federation played international friendly matches against Botswana at the Tsholofelo Hall in Gaborone earlier this month.

The team represented the best registered badminton players in the junior, senior and veteran (above 40 years) sections of the game. The Namibian juniors lost against their opponents and this indicates that local youngsters need more exposure at an international level.The senior team also lost despite giving a good account of themselves, while a number of matches were decided in tense three-setters against opposition which recently competed at the All Africa Championships in Ethiopia.However, the strong Namibian veterans team overpowered Botswana without losing a match. Their victory showed that a high level of exposure throughout the years counted in their favour. The challenge for Namibian players is now to lift the skills and improve the experience of the younger players to the same level of that of the veterans so that Namibian badminton can again become competitive at a continental level. Badminton Federation of Namibia secretary general Juergen Leicher said interested players can join their closest badminton club or contact Axel Rothauge at the Sport Klub Windhoek at (061) 290 9354, where badminton training is presented every Monday from 19h00 onwards.He also reminded all players and clubs that the federation’s annual general meeting will take place at Oranjemund on November 5. ‘This meeting will be followed by the annual Oranjemund open championship. All clubs must forward their credentials by latest October 19 to allow the secretary to draw up all relevant documentation for the meeting. The agenda will be forwarded to all the registered clubs approximately 14 days before the AGM,’ said Leicher. The tour to Botswana was supported by BFN, Bicon Namibia Consulting Engineers, Windhoek South Badminton Club, Oranjemund Private School, Oranjemund Children Fund, Namdeb, Absolute Consulting Engineers, Nashua Oranjemund, Catering Contract Management (PTY) Ltd, Mr and Mrs Thorburn and various sponsorships from friends and the Namibian public. ‘We herewith want to thank all sponsors for their valuable contributions towards the tour,’ said Leicher. Leicher can be contacted at 081 128 4183 for more information.