Six Namibians set for Fiba World Cup roles
Six young Namibians from Basketball Artists School (BAS) and Deutsche Höhere Privatschule Windhoek (DHPS) are set to take up volunteer roles at the Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, Germany.
The group heading to the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) showpiece, which tips off on Friday and runs until 13 September, comprises Justina Louis, Tavizee Kauriatjike, Patrick Taziwa, Jacky Bohitille, Tireemukuru Toromba and Jana Coetzee.
They departed for Germany on Monday and arrived yesterday for what BAS Foundation executive director Malakia Matias said will mark the country’s first volunteer representation at the global showpiece.
The Namibians’ assignments place them inside the machinery of the World Cup across volunteer management, media operations, event operations and court entertainment.
Matias, who described the opportunity as a significant step for the youngsters, said their journey had developed from simply attending training to assisting at basketball events, volunteering and learning to lead.
“They will not only watch world-class basketball. They will be part of the team helping to make the event happen,” he told Sport Wrap yesterday.
The BAS executive director noted that working alongside international professionals would expose the six to event management, media, teamwork and communication at the highest level of the women’s game.
Partnership reaches World Cup stage
Their trip represents another step in the long-standing basketball relationship between Namibia and Germany through BAS, DHPS and the German Basketball Federation (DBB).
The DBB has reported that its partnership with BAS stretches back more than 15 years, during which it has supported Namibian youth through sport, education and international exchange.
That relationship has included basketball camps, coaching development, exchanges and other international opportunities, with the latest pathway now taking young Namibians into operational roles at a senior World Cup.
Matias further outlined that the significance lies not only in travelling to Germany, but also in what the six can take from being part of an event of that magnitude.
“They will return to Namibia with knowledge and experiences they can share with other young people,” he said.
Their involvement also adds another layer to BAS’ growing connection with the build-up to the World Cup.
In April, Jacobina Uushona and Rachel Tjite from BAS took part in a Female Youth Leadership workshop in Berlin alongside participants from Germany and other nations.
Fiba reported that the programme included practical volunteering experience around the Women’s Basketball World Cup draw and Fiba Hall of Fame ceremony.
Participants also worked on Basketball For Good initiatives connected to the tournament’s legacy programme.
Matias also highlighted that the latest group will break new ground, becoming the first Namibians to volunteer at the Fiba Women’s Basketball World Cup.
Africa’s Mali and Nigeria in the mix
The six are arriving for an edition of the women’s global showpiece that will mark only its second staging in Germany, following the country’s first hosting in 1998 and ending a 28-year wait to stage the tournament again.
The Berlin competition will also usher in an expanded format, with the field increasing from 12 teams at the 2022 edition to 16. The teams will contest 36 games over 10 days, starting with four groups of four before the competition moves into the knockout stages.
Among those taking to the hardwood will be Africa’s two representatives, Nigeria and Mali.
The pair arrive in Berlin after contesting last year’s Women’s AfroBasket final, where Nigeria beat Mali 78-64 to become the first nation to win five consecutive continental titles.
The field also includes hosts Germany, defending champions United States, Australia, Belgium, China, Czechia, France, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Korea, Puerto Rico, Spain and Türkiye.
The experience comes at a time when Namibia is also gaining exposure to organising Fiba competition on home soil.
Windhoek hosted the Zone Six qualifiers for last year’s Fiba Under-16 Women’s AfroBasket at the Windhoek Showgrounds, where Namibia fielded a girls’ team alongside regional opposition.
Berlin send-off
Before leaving Namibia, the six volunteers were welcomed at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Windhoek.
Deputy Head of Mission Florian Seitz met the group as they shared how they became involved in basketball and what the opportunity means to them.
They were encouraged to make the most of both the professional and cultural experience in Berlin and to document their journey through short videos and reels that can be shared with young people back home.
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