Sports

KEFA referee faces scrutiny after Divayi game

KEFA referee faces scrutiny after Divayi game

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namport Kavango East Football Association (KEFA) is facing calls to investigate a referee’s conduct following a match between Divayi Football Club and Kagcuva FC, during which 14 penalty cards were issued to Kagcuva FC, including two red cards. Kagcuva FC Secretary Frans Muhembo lodged an official complaint with KEFA Chairperson Patrick Mukoya on Monday, requesting disciplinary action against the referee and appealing the red card issued to team captain, Albin Munyenda. The match, played on 30 February at the Divayi Sports Field, was described by Kagcuva FC as being marked by biased refereeing.  Muhembo said 12 yellow…
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Ballotti steps down from Julinho Athletic FC

Ballotti steps down from Julinho Athletic FC

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Debmarine Namibia Premier League side Julinho Sporting Football Club has confirmed the departure of Dino Ballotti as chairman, following his appointment as deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture. The club announced that Fabio do Rego will take over as chairman. The club vice president, Norton Luis, said the leadership change was necessary to avoid any conflict of interest and to uphold the integrity of the sport. Luis described Do Rego as a committed football supporter with a clear vision for the club’s future. “We are proud of Honourable Dino Ballotti and grateful for his…
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Khomas100 gravel race gains UCI status

Khomas100 gravel race gains UCI status

Niël Terblanché The Khomas100 gravel cycling race has earned a place on the international sporting calendar, following confirmation that the 2025 edition will not only serve as the Namibian National Gravel Championships but also as the African Continental Gravel Championship. In addition, it has been granted qualifier status for the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Gravel World Series, with top riders securing a coveted spot at the UCI Gravel World Championships in Europe this October. The news was announced at the official launch of the 2025 event at Hollard Namibia’s offices in Windhoek. Hollard has renewed its headline sponsorship of the…
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Namport and Nedbank partner to host cycling event at Crayfish Festival

Namport and Nedbank partner to host cycling event at Crayfish Festival

Niël Terblanché A new addition to Namibia’s sporting calendar has been unveiled, with the official launch of the Namport Nedbank PH Challenge, in collaboration with the Lüderitz Crayfish Festival. The event, which aims to promote cycling and wellness, was announced in Lüderitz earlier in March, where stakeholders gathered to endorse the inaugural challenge. The initiative is a joint effort by Namport, Nedbank Namibia, and the Powerhouse Cycling Club. It will be held in Lüderitz from 2 to 3 May 2025 and in Walvis Bay from 1 to 2 November 2025. The event will feature mountain bike and road races, as…
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Paralympic funding frozen over governance issues 

Paralympic funding frozen over governance issues 

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Funding for the Namibian National Paralympic Committee (NNPC) from the Ministry of Sport is on hold due to non-compliance with governance requirements. The Namibia Sports Commission’s (NSC) chief administrator, Fredy Mwiya, informed the committee’s secretary general, Michael Hamukwaya, of the decision during a consultative meeting held two weeks ago. “The current board term of office has expired. Hence their involvement to run the affairs has ceased, and funding from the ministry has been put on hold as the federation is non-compliant,” reads the minutes of the meeting seen by the Windhoek Observer. The meeting was also attended by…
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Nangolo crowned new WBO Africa champion

Nangolo crowned new WBO Africa champion

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Flame "The Special One" Nangolo was crowned the new World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Africa super featherweight champion on Saturday night after defeating Ghanaian boxer Felix Ajom via a third-round knockout. The fight took place at the Roman Catholic Hospital hall, where Nangolo extended his professional record to 13 unbeaten fights. This record of victories includes five knockouts.  The 23-year-old's victory came against Ajom, who also entered the ring with an undefeated record of 20 fights—17 of them won by knockout. Ajom had never been knocked out before. The boxing event also marked the return of veteran fighter Walter…
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CoW gears up for AUSC Region 5 Youth Games

CoW gears up for AUSC Region 5 Youth Games

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The City of Windhoek (CoW) is preparing to host the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games in July 2025, with organisers ensuring that all stadiums and training venues will be ready in time for the event. Ndeulipulua Hamutumwa, Chairperson of the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games Organising Committee, said on Wednesday that Namibia is on track with preparations to welcome more than 2,500 athletes and officials from 10 countries. The games will take place from 4 to 13 July 2025. Participating countries include Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.…
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NYC pledges N$10 000 sponsorship for para swimmer

NYC pledges N$10 000 sponsorship for para swimmer

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The National Youth Council (NYC) of Namibia has pledged N$10 000 to support paralympic swimmer Namasiku Van Der Linden. NYC executive chairperson, Beverly Silas-Garas, announced the sponsorship on Wednesday to assist Van Der Linden as she prepares to compete at the Level 3 Paralympic Swimming Championships in South Africa. Van Der Linden will be the first Namibian with Down Syndrome to participate in the event. "NYC is immensely proud of you. And we wish you well in your para-swimming career,” said Silas-Garas during Van Der Linden’s courtesy visit to the NYC office to receive the sponsorship. The 2025…
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Namibia Netball Association calls under-21 players to trials

Namibia Netball Association calls under-21 players to trials

Erasmus Shalihahwe  The Namibia Netball Association has invited under-21 netball players to attend trials for a chance to join the national team ahead of the upcoming netball test tournament series in Windhoek. The association’s secretary general, Sofia Simon told the Windhoek Observer that the tournament will take place from 1 to 5 May 2025 at the Windhoek Showgrounds.  The event will also serve as preparation for the Region 5 Youth Games scheduled for July. “This is a fantastic opportunity for our young players to showcase their skills and potentially earn a spot on the under-21 national team. The test series…
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Brave Warriors keeps World Cup dream alive with Guinea draw

Brave Warriors keeps World Cup dream alive with Guinea draw

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The senior national football team, the Brave Warriors, kept their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup alive after a 1–1 draw against Equatorial Guinea on Monday afternoon. Namibia now has 12 points from six games and remains second in Group H, one point behind Tunisia, who lead the group with 13 points and have played one game fewer.  Equatorial Guinea is fourth with seven points, though that could change if the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) restores the six points deducted earlier in their campaign. The deduction came after the team selected an ineligible player, Emilio…
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