Namibia Correctional Service (NCS) claimed their third MTC Netball Namibia Premier League title on Saturday as the competition’s sponsor vowed to professionalise it within five years.
After claiming the inaugural crown in 2021, NCS lost out to an inspired Mighty Gunners the season thereafter before regaining honours last year and maintaining their grip this season.
Namibian Navy finished second, followed by Gunners and Wanderers in that order, while Young Stars and Tsumeb were relegated.
The individual prizes went to Eastern Chiefs’ Lucia Haikela, who won the player of the league, as Desert Jewels veteran Anna Kaspar of the Navy claimed the best goal shooter accolade.
NCS star Mwale Mulenamswe won the best defender prize, and Lizl Stooman from Wanderers was named the best administrator of the year.
Netball Namibia conferred honorary status to minister of sport, youth and national service Agnes Tjongarero, Isadora Nel, Lydia Mutenda, Lydia Kandetu and Carol Garoes for their contribution to the sport code over the years.
Recounting the highs and lows of the just-ended campaign, Netball Namibia president Rebekka Goagoses said the quality and competition in the top flight was commendable.
“This year has been another exciting chapter in our netball journey, filled with hard fought matches, incredible displays of skills and a passion for sport that unites us all” she said.
“This season saw 12 club saw compete fiercely, despite challenges, including instances where players could not take time off work and teams struggled to field enough players, our league persisted. Proving once again that netball is a sport that sticks together against all odds,” Goagoses said.
Chief sponsors MTC gave Netball Namibia the thumbs up for and “excellent” 2023/24 season, which saw 122 matches played countrywide.
“I am pleased to nationally declare that netball in Namibia got its groove back, thanks to the leaders who decided that this sport deserves better. Please join me in applauding the leadership at all levels of netball in Namibia.
“Everything starts and ends with visionary leaders,” MTC spokesperson Tim Ekandjo said.
“I would like to thank all the players, team owners, management teams, league administrators, umpires, volunteers and everybody who played a role for their dedication and support.”
Ekandjo took note of the challenges that continue to hamper the sport, and vowed that MTC would assist Netball Namibia to overcome these.
“We are well aware that the MTC Namibia Premier League is still very young, only four years old, and therefore there will be challenges.
“Transport is becoming more expensive and so is the operational cost of running the teams. We want to promise you that we remain committed to this league as long as you show commitment,” Ekandjo said.
“We will hold your hand through thick and thin till we achieve this bold vision of semi-professionalising and eventually professionalising this league in the next five years.
“We would like to encourage the leadership to invest in a comprehensive proposal that you should present to your sponsor so that we understand what it would take to professionalise the MTC Namibia Netball Premier League to allow both parties to plan accordingly.
“The ball is in your court now,” Ekandjo said.
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