Africa-Press – Namibia. THE inaugural Standard Bank Junior Hockey National Festival saw a fine turnout at the Windhoek High School astroturf on Saturday, with 120 junior players representing 24 primary schools from five towns, in action.
Namibia’s senior women’s indoor hockey national team was also present to assist the under 9 players and added their hand as coaches of the various teams.
On conclusion of the tournament, the women’s team also selected an All-Star Team called the MVP (Most Valuable Player) team of 11 boys and 11 girls, while the best goalkeepers, the best players and the overall winner the MVP award were also selected.
Standard Bank handed over back to school vouchers worth N$3 000 to the top three girls and top three boys respectively. A total of 36 matches were played, with each team playing five round robin matches, before the top four teams progressed to the semi-final knockout stage.
In the girls section, Gobabis beat Katutura 1-0 in the final to be crowned the national u9 champions. Both semifinals were determined by a solitary goal, with Katutura beating Rehoboth 1-0, while Gobabis beat Mariental by the same score, with the eventual MVP, Tjimarija Kahitu from Nossobville Primary School scoring the winner.
In the boys final, Okahandja trounced Mariental 2-0 to walk away with championship trophy. The semifinals were very tight and with both matches ending in draws, the winners had to be decided through shoot-outs.
In the first semifinal, Gobabis and Mariental played to a one-all draw, but Mariental progressed to the final after winning the shoot-out 1-0. In the second semi-final, Okahandja and Khomasdal played to a goalless draw in normal time, before Okahandja took their chances well to beat Khomasdal 2-1 in the shootout.
The top three girls award winners were as follows: Best Goalie: Willy-Ann Kooper (Rehoboth) Best Player: Viola Mangura (Katutura) Most Valuable Player: Tjimarija Kahitu (Gobabis)
The top three boys awards: Best Goalie: Luciano Doiseb (Gobabis) Best Player: Virikehije Muvangua (Gobabis) Most Valuable Player: Konjeni Beukes (Mariental) MVP girls team:
Willy-Ann Kooper (Rehoboth), Linel van Schalkwyk (Rehoboth), Viola Mangura (Katutura), Venjekerera Kambaekua (Katutura), Tjimarija Kahitu (Gobabis), Uaundjua Kaumbangere (Gobabis), Sasha-Lee Lewin (Mariental), Kelly-Ann Zahl (Khomasdal), Amore Sinano Okahandja), Agnes Alinilu (Okahandja), Anna Aindongo (Okahandja).
MVP boys team: Luciano Doiseb (Gobabis), Virikehije Muvangua (Gobabis), Konjeni Beukes (Mariental), Gert Meyer (Mariental), Calvin Mwilima (Mariental), Emmareld Ovambo (Okahandja), Rimelio Izaaks (Rehoboth), Steven Garoëb (Khomasdal), Fernando Joas (Katutura), Prince-ley Kasanga (Katutura), Mckenzie Uaatjo (Katutura).
Tournament organiser Erwin Handura said it was a great event. “It was a wonderful event and players had fun in the sun. The parents travelled from as far as Mariental, Gobabis, Rehoboth and Okahandja to support their children and teams,” he said.
“I want to thank my support team of the Hockey School of Excellence, the coaches, umpires and our main sponsor, Standard Bank Namibia, for making a huge difference in the lives of these little future stars,” he added.
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