Young table tennis players rewarded

By Michael Uugwanga

YOUNG table tennis players from across the country were rewarded for their performances throughout the year at the Arysteq Asset Management and Simonis Storm Schools Tournament Series prize-giving ceremony held in Windhoek over the weekend.

The players were recognised across five age categories, from under-11 to under-19, for both boys and girls, highlighting the growing pool of young talent in the sport.

The ceremony marked a rewarding end to a busy season and encouraged the players ahead of next year’s series, which is expected to grow further as interest in table tennis continues to increase among school-going learners.

Tournament series coordinator Theo Beukes and the Namibia Table Tennis Association (NTTA) have worked throughout the year to provide boys and girls with opportunities to participate in the sport and develop their skills.

The growth of the series has also been supported by sponsors Arysteq Asset Management and Simonis Storm, whose backing has helped sustain the competition over the past four years.

Beukes expressed gratitude to the sponsors, highlighting the significant growth in participation since the series was introduced.

“A huge thank you to Arysteq Asset Management and Simonis Storm for your support over the last four years. Since the series began, it has grown by 400 percent, and entries have increased by 45 percent,” he said.

“The Arysteq Series is more than a tournament; it is a celebration of talent, determination and the bright future of table tennis.

“Let us compete with passion, respect one another and inspire the next generation of champions,” Beukes added.

The tournament has become an important platform for young players to compete, gain experience and measure their progress against their peers, while helping introduce the sport to more schools and learners.

Below are the top five finishers in each category:

JUNIOR GIRLS

Under-11

1. Esther Nelenge (Olof Palme Primary School)
2. Celine Mbangula (Pioneerspark Primary School)
3. Victoria Namupolo (Olof Palme Primary School)
4. Maya Mbangula (Pioneerspark Primary School)
5. Maita Makumbe (Origo Primary School)

Under-13

1. Esther Nelenge (Olof Palme Primary School)
2. Sabina Shanika (Monte Christo Primary School)
3. Wilhemina Shivute (Olof Palme Primary School)
4. Hertha Pondjamba (Olof Palme Primary School)
5. Emilia Amwaama (Olof Palme Primary School)

Under-15

1. Cadence Farmer (St Paul’s College)
2. Suverasaneje Ikorua (Concordia College)
3. Esther Nelenge (Olof Palme Primary School)
4. Wilhemina Shivute (Olof Palme Primary School)
5. Sabina Shanika (Monte Christo Primary School)

Under-17

1. Cadence Farmer (St Paul’s College)
2. Lian Gebauer (DHPS)
3. Karolina Shigwedha (Ella Du Plessis High School)
4. Suverasaneje Ikorua (Concordia College)
5. Ester Shatika (Immanuel Shifidi)

Under-19

1. Lian Gebauer (DHPS)
2. Karolina Shigwedha (Ella Du Plessis High School)
3. Cadence Farmer (St Paul’s College)
4. Suverasaneje Ikorua (Concordia College)
5. Ester Shatika (Immanuel Shifidi)

JUNIOR BOYS

Under-11

1. Kilian Beukes (St Joseph’s Primary School)
2. Immanuel Hishidimbwa (Havana Primary School)
3. Fortune Mbundje (Olof Palme Primary School)
4. Mukundi Madzinga (Origo Primary School)
5. Jaden Bampton (Elim Primary School)

Under-13

1. Terence Kadandara (St Paul’s College)
2. Eliakim Namhila (Olof Palme Primary School)
3. Immanuel Hishidimbwa (Havana Primary School)
4. Kilian Beukes (St Joseph’s Primary School)
5. Immanuel Hangula (Olof Palme Primary School)

Under-15

1. Silas Anguku (Hage Geingob High School)
2. Jason Kadandara (St Paul’s College)
3. Sakaria Imbondi (CJ Brandt)
4. Fillemon Ikanda (Highline High School)
5. Terence Kadandara (St Paul’s College)

Under-17

1. Silas Anguku (Hage Geingob High School)
2. Jason Kadandara (St Paul’s College)
3. Terence Kadandara (St Paul’s College)
4. Eliakim Namhila (Olof Palme Primary School)
5. Daniel Beukes (Waldorf School)

Under-19

1. Silas Anguku (Hage Geingob High School)
2. Sakaria Imbondi (CJ Brandt)
3. Jason Kadandara (St Paul’s College)
4. Daniel Beukes (Waldorf School)
5. Fillemon Ikanda (Highline High School)