NINETEEN-year-old Oderich Mouton hopes to mark his senior high school year with success in the upcoming FNB Classic Clashes.
The Windhoek High School rugby team captain said his team wants to be amongst the top teams during this year’s competition, which was launched in Windhoek on Tuesday.
The Classic Clashes, which also includes contests in netball and football between 40 schools, is a stepping stone on his journey to becoming a professional rugby player.
“It’s an opportunity for us to share what we have been training for and are capable of. You also get to meet people from around the country, which is always nice,” Mouton said.
“Playing sport is a good way to get away from bad things which can influence your life. It’s a good way to help you become the best person you can be,” he noted.
Being captain comes with added responsibility, which is a challenge that the fledgling eighthman relishes.
“For me, it’s a great experience. There’s a lot of pressure, which is a good thing because it keeps you on your toes, and you get to learn how to be a leader. I’d like to be remembered as somebody who did something for our school by winning the Classic Clashes,” said Mouton, who wants to recapture the rugby title from holders Windhoek Afrikaanse Private School.
He has been approached by two South African provincial teams who were impressed with his performances last year at the annual under-18 Craven Week schools rugby tournament in that country.
“I would like to play professionally one day. I’d like to play at the Western Province Academy, but at the moment, it looks like I’ll be going to either the Blue Bulls or the Lions, because they have shown more interest,” he said.
FNB hopes other gifted youngsters will emerge in this year’s edition of the Classic Clashes.
“Through sport, children explore, invent and create. They also develop social skills, learn to express their emotions and gain confidence about their own capabilities. For many children, however, the opportunity to learn and grow through sport is unavailable, robbing them of some of the most important experiences of childhood,” said FNB Namibia sponsorships manager Gordon Pokolo.
He added that the Classic Clashes not only impacted the lives of competitors, but united communities countrywide.
“These factors alone justify the investment in this initiative and sports development at large,” Pokolo said.
Investments of this nature are key to developing and sustaining the country’s financially hamstrung sports sector, said Namibia Sports Commission chief administrator Simataa Freddy Mwiya. Namibia Breweries Limited are also Classic Clashes sponsors through their Vigo soft drink brand.
“We are all aware of the financial constraints that our government is experiencing. That’s why we must applaud corporates who assist government initiatives,” Mwiya said.
“We look forward to the 20 mouthwatering clashes that will entertain the nation as rival schools battle for bragging rights.”
The first of the clashes will see Khomas’ St Joseph’s take on Eldorado in a netball encounter at Döbra at 15h00 on Friday, June 2, while on Saturday, June 3, Academia host Augustineum at 12h00 in another netball match.
The Classic Clashes continue on 9 June, and run until 9 September, with participating schools coming from Gobabis, Stampriet, Windhoek, Rehoboth, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Keetmanshoop, Grootfontein, Otjiwarongo and Ongwediva.
