Driven by ambition, discipline

The Khomas NamPol netball team are determined to continue their upward trajectory, even though their first team''s activities have come to an end.

Having been established last year, the team have made tremendous progress since then.

With two sides, one playing in the Khomas First League and another in the Social League, the Khomas NamPol netball players are spoilt for choice.

The first team won the league, which resulted in them being promoted to play in the Khomas Premier League next year.

They have also won a number of tournaments, which gave the team management confidence that more success can be expected next year.

“We won the NamPol national champions and having won the First League, we will now play in the Premier League. We are also in the running to win the Social League so it is clear that our teams are quite competitive,” the team''s captain, Lourentia Janee Tjiroze said.



Challenges

But while the team has been doing well, it was not a walk in the park because they struggled to get used to playing on a higher level this year.

“The competition was high and we encountered strong opponents,” Tjiroze explained.

Other challenges included player absenteeism due to work commitments.

“But that is something we are working on because our superiors are quite understanding,” added Commissioner Mbandeka, who is the team''s manager.

The team is coached by Chief Inspector Gontes with Inspector Simaho deputising.

To help with fitness the team recruited national 400m athlete Ernst Narib, who is also in the police force.

Sergeant Khariseb, who acts as the team''s designated driver, completes the management team.

Plans

The team yesterday received a visit from Deputy Inspector-General Des Shilunga as a sign of support for their activities.

“It is good that you guys continue to keep busy and I hope you will make sure to win,” he told the players.

As part of their plans for next year, the team is considering taking a regional trip to play teams from South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

“We want to make sure we give these young players as much exposure as possible,” Mbandeka said.

They are also targeting to win the police national championship, which would see some of the players qualifying to represent Namibia at the SARPCCO Games next year.

“There are a lot of potential national team players in the team,” said Tjiroze.

The team trains three times a week, from Tuesday to Thursday, at the Israel Patrick Iyambo Police College.

“We want to thank everyone that supported us this year and hope that will grow next year,” concluded Mbandeka.



HECTOR MAWONGA