Erasmus Shalihaxwe
World Netball (WN) has announced the appointment of three new members to its Medical Advisory Panel (MAP), including Namibian medical doctor, Maria Mulunga.
The announcement was made by MAP Chairperson, Professor Christa Janse van Rensburg, on Wednesday.
The newly appointed members will advise the World Netball CEO and Board on medical, health, and wellbeing matters.
They will also support the development and implementation of priorities outlined in the organization’s Strategic Plan.
Dr Maria Mulunga, currently the team doctor for Namibia’s netball national team, the Desert Jewels, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery.
She has been a member of World Netball since 2021.
Other new members are Luke Ford, who is the lead physiotherapist for World Netball, a member of Wales Netball, and specialises in musculoskeletal management, rehabilitation and performance optimisation.
Doctor Samuel Ogbondeminu is a Sports Medicine Practitioner with over two decades of experience in athlete care and injury management, having been involved at previous Commonwealth Games and Olympics.
Janse van Rensburg said the three new members will join her and fellow MAP Members Sharon Kearney, Janet Young and Dr Laura Lallenec to make up the panel.
“I am thrilled to be able to welcome Luke, Samuel, and Maria to the Medical Advisory Panel. I know their knowledge and experience will only complement what we already have on the panel, and I am really looking forward to working with the three of them,” said Rensburg while welcoming the new members.
