Hardap, Erongo plot Khomas’ Newspaper Cup downfall

Hardap netball team are preparing intensely as they bid to lift this year’s Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup.

The tournament runs from 18 to 21 April at Outjo where Hardap group B rivals Erongo and Kavango East, who each lifted the trophy once, hosts Kunene, last year’s runners-up Oshana, Omusati and perennial contender the Omaheke region.

Hardap Regional Netball Association (Harna) chairperson Brenda Rooi says preparations, initially at Mariental and now Rehoboth, have grown in intensity over the past fortnight as the tournament draws closer.

While the prospect of facing former winners and the host region in the group phase appears daunting, it is not impossible, says Rooi, whose region intends to end Khomas’ monopoly of the title.

“This year we are ready for Khomas, who are the defending champions,” Rooi told Desert FM earlier this week.

She said that for too long Khomas has enjoyed the limelight, having won the cup three times in the five editions that netball has been part of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup.

Hardap’s preparations were hit by challenges for the last two editions, which contributed to the team falling short of their targets.

However, this time around support has been forthcoming from the governor’s office and the business community, allowing for the team to focus on the mission ahead.

“They really came through, and we are forever thankful to them,” Rooi said.

“We have had a lot of challenges during the past two editions. I took over as the chairperson of Harna last year, and since I took over with my executive, we have had challenges such as a lack of netball courts, playing gear and balls,” she said.

“We had to rent netball attire, including balls, but we managed. At Gobabis last year, we took third place. Imagine finishing third overall after all we went through,” Rooi said.

“Currently, we are aiming for the semi and final showdown at Outjo. We know that Khomas took all the silverware and they are the defending champions, but we are really going to give them a run for their money,” Rooi vowed.

“We are not afraid of Khomas nor any other team.”