Breakthrough win for Namibia’s U13 team at Hardap Dam

Football
Brian Munango
  • 20 Hours Ago
The Namibia Freshwater Bank Angling Association (NFBAA) has reason to celebrate after its Under-13 Development Team made history by winning the prestigious Region 5 Junior Angling Tournament for the first time. The event took place at Hardap Dam from 29 June to 5 July 2025 and featured fierce competition between Namibia and South Africa across both junior and development divisions.



Namibia’s Under-13 side delivered a composed and clinical performance to edge out South Africa in the development category. The team caught 187 fish weighing 430.5 kg, earning 4 points, while South Africa’s U13s landed 180 fish weighing 422.36 kg, finishing with 5 points.



Team manager Leon Diedericks was full of praise for the young anglers, saying the result was a testament to their belief, commitment and adaptability.



“Yes, it's always a great feeling to win against South Africa,” said Diedericks. “Considering how many competitive anglers they have, what our youngsters achieved this week, despite limited experience, is a ribbon in your heart. A lot of thanks go to the parents, the children, and our drivers who helped us get this result.”



Diedericks noted that the first few days were focused on aligning skill levels and boosting confidence.



“We focused on helping the kids believe they could win. Positive mind, positive result — that was our approach, and we got the outcome we worked for.”



Namibia also shone in the individual rankings, securing two of the top three spots. S-Wee Loubser took silver, and Leon Diedericks Jnr claimed bronze. Gold was awarded to Heike Duvenhage of South Africa.



In the senior junior category, South Africa dominated, catching 267 fish totalling 652.04 kg, finishing with 3 points. Namibia’s juniors landed 171 fish weighing 394.84 kg, placing them second with 6 points.



Despite the loss in the senior division, Namibia’s strong showing across categories demonstrates the country’s growing presence in competitive angling. NFBAA hailed the event as a success, citing improved skill levels, international exposure, and strengthened regional camaraderie.



“Every participant is a winner,” the association said. “This is the future of the sport, and Namibia is proud of what these young anglers have achieved.”