By Michael Uugwanga
After years of hard work and awareness through the Ashburton Kwata Mini Cricket programme, the sport of cricket is finally finding its feet in Oshakati, in the Oshana Region.
Cricket has over the years been predominantly played in the central and coastal parts of the country.
However, that could soon change as Cricket Namibia has embarked on a strategy aimed at ensuring the sport reaches all four corners of the country.
One example of this initiative was the recently held Playtime Festival in Walvis Bay, which provided young cricketers with an opportunity to showcase their talent and gain valuable experience.
Suama Andreas, a volunteer cricket coach at schools in Oshakati, told Confidente how she and fellow coaches are working to develop the sport at grassroots level.
She said the experience gained at the Playtime Festival was proof that young cricketers from the northern regions are embracing cricket and discovering a sport they can enjoy.
“My team is called Oshakati West Primary School Cricket Team. It was established last year as part of the school’s effort to introduce cricket to learners in the north.
“We are situated at Oshakati West Primary School in Oshakati, Oshana Region, and we train on the school grounds after school hours. We have a cricket pitch at the school and use equipment we received from Cricket Namibia.
“It was our first time at the Playtime Festival at the coast, so honestly, the results were not our main focus. We did not finish at the top, but the boys gained valuable experience. What matters is that we competed, learned and represented Oshakati West with pride.
“For a first appearance, just being there was a win. We currently have 34 players in the squad, with learners from different age groups. We keep it open so more learners can join and develop. We have 15 girls and 19 boys.
“We encourage both boys and girls to play because cricket is for everyone, and we want to grow the girls’ game too. Our players range from about nine to 13 years old, basically upper-primary learners,” said Andreas.
Football, netball, volleyball and boxing have traditionally been among the main sporting codes in the northern regions. However, that is gradually changing as young athletes are being exposed to more sporting options, with cricket giving them another opportunity to choose a sport they enjoy.
The Playtime Festival was a memorable experience for the children and Andreas, as the objective was not necessarily to win, but to expose the youngsters to a new environment and give them an opportunity to learn outside their usual surroundings.
Andreas has undergone development programmes and volunteer coaching workshops through Cricket Namibia, which have helped her gain knowledge that she can pass on to young players in Oshakati.
“Cricket in Oshakati is still growing, but there is real interest, especially among young learners. With support from Cricket Namibia and volunteers, we are slowly building a cricket culture here in the north.
“It was an unforgettable experience. For most of them, it was their first time seeing the ocean and Dune 7. We also took them to Narraville to see the vessels, and some had never even travelled that far from home.
“The excitement on their faces when they saw all this for the first time was priceless. It was not just about cricket; it was about exposure, confidence and making memories.
“Some of them were a bit scared of the waves at first, but soon they were laughing and running around. That trip alone was worth it.
“In the next ten years, I see cricket in Oshakati becoming much bigger,” said Andreas.
