Countdown to Junior Africa Cup Qualifiers begins 

The countdown to the Junior Africa Hockey Cup Qualifiers has begun with the tournament to be hosted in Windhoek in less than a month’s time.

The Namibia Hockey Union (NHU) yesterday issued a press statement saying that the tournament will be held from 18 to 25 April at the Davin Trustco Astro in Windhoek. The event is still referred to as JAC2024 as it was postponed from last year to be hosted this year.

“This event marks a significant milestone as it will be the second Junior Africa Cup hosted in Namibia, the first being in 2016. Namibia is becoming a preferred destination for hosting events organised by the African Hockey Federation, reflecting its growing reputation in the hockey community across the continent. This will also be the second continental hockey tournament that Namibia has hosted in the past two years, following the successful Indoor Africa Cup 2024, which was held at Swakopmund last year,” the statement says.

NHU president Carin Slabbert comments on Namibia’s hosting of the tournament.

“It is a great honour to welcome the nine participating countries to the Junior Africa Cup in Windhoek, Namibia. By hosting the tournament, the Namibia Hockey Union hopes to bring the sport of hockey closer to our people, increase national pride, and boost participation in the sport that we serve and love,” she says.

“During this tournament I would like to see all the participants embracing team work, fitness and sportsmanship. Let the spirit of sport shine during these eight days. By hosting this tournament, the NHU provides the opportunity to Namibians to witness excellence, but it also serves as a reminder of the resilience and hard work required to overcome obstacles to succeed,” she adds.

The Junior Africa Cup Qualifiers is set to be an intense showcase of skill, determination and athleticism as Namibia’s under-21 national men and women’s teams go head-to-head with top contenders from across Africa, with 15 teams of both genders having confirmed their particiopation.

The event serves as a qualifier for the 2025 Junior World Cup, adding significance to every match on the field. The top three teams per gender will qualify for the Junior World Cup to be hosted in Chennai, India, for men and Santiago, Chile, for women.

African Hockey Federation chief executive Ahmed Azmy commented on the announcement:

“It is a great pleasure to witness this massive turnout for the upcoming JAC 2024 since it was postponed from last November. With eight men and seven women’s teams, Africans and the world stage are looking forward to witnessing fierce battles between Africa’s young talents, with the chance to finish in the top three spots per gender qualifying to the FIH Junior World Cups late 2025 in India and Chile. This packed event will also pave the way for the nine participating countries’ athletes to shine and compete for a secured spot in their senior 11s teams. Good luck to all teams and may the best teams win.”

The Junior Africa Cup Qualifiers provides an invaluable platform for young athletes to gain international exposure and experience, paving the way for future success on the world stage.

In addition to the opportunity to qualify for the Junior World Cup, this tournament serves as a key event for senior national coaches to identify and select potential players who can strengthen the senior national teams. This aspect highlights the growth and talent development pipeline the junior teams facilitate, ensuring a continuous flow of skilled athletes into higher levels of competition.

“The NHU and its partners are committed to ensuring an exceptional tournament experience for all participating teams, with top-notch facilities and warm Namibian hospitality,” the statement reads.

The following sponsors have been confirmed for the event: Smith Distributors, Interpack Beverages and TK SPORTS.

Tickets and further details for the tournament will be available soon, and fans are encouraged to follow the NHU’s social media channels on Instagram (namibiahockeyunion), Facebook (Namibia Hockey) and LinkedIn (Namibia Hockey).