• rugby

Olympic star Masilingi, 23, joins UNAM at Ongos Sevens

• 4 Hours Ago

Namibia’s former Olympic sprinter Beatrice Masilingi is turning a new page in her sporting career after signing with the University of Namibia women’s rugby team, the UNAM Steenbokkies.

Masilingi confirmed the move yesterday, telling Sport Wrap that she has will make her appearance for the team at the Ongos Sevens tournament on Saturday at Hage Geingob Stadium.

The move marks a new chapter for the highly talented athlete, who made her name on the track as one of Namibia’s best-performing sprinters of all time.

She represented Namibia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (held in 2021), where as a teenager, she reached the women’s 200 metres final and finished sixth.

She also won three silver medals at the 2021 World Athletics U20 Championships, and delivered several other sensational performances at international track and field events.

After becoming disillusioned with the very public mistreatment she has received from World Athletics, she recently announcing her retirement from the sport – still only 23 years old.

Her sprinting background could prove valuable in rugby sevens, where speed, acceleration and agility are important on the field.

Masilingi’s debut with UNAM will be an opportunity to test herself in a new sport. She explained that the rugby field is not new to her, as rugby was her first love when she still lived in Rundu and before she was identified as .

"I’m grateful for the opportunity to join UNAM 7s. Having played rugby in the past, it’s exciting to step back onto the field.

“My focus right now is just working hard, learning with the squad, and giving my best for the jersey."

All eyes will be on the Ongos Sevens this Saturday as the former Olympic sprinter takes to the rugby field in UNAM colours.

The 2025 Ongos Valley Sevens featured only exhibition matches for women, when only three teams entered.

• In the men’s competition, Western Cape outfit the Witz Barbarians return and could be favourites to retain the title they won impressively last year, beating FNB Kudus in the semi-final and FNB Wanderers in the final.

The full match schedule:

08:00, FNB Kudus v FNB Unam (men)

08:20, Montego United v Kharas (men)

08:40, FNB Wanderers v Witz Barbarians (men)

09:00, FNB Grootfontein v Khomas (men)

09:20, FNB Western Subrubs v FNB Dolphin (men)

09:40, Ongos Invitational v FNB Rehoboth (men)

10:00, Erongo v FNB Reho Falcon (men)

10:20, Wanderers Bokkies v Unam Steenbokkies (women)

10:40, United Gemsbokkies v Reho Falcon Bokkies (women)

11:10, FNB Wanderers v Kharas (men)

11:30, Montego United v FNB Unam (men)

11:50, FNB Kudus v Witz Barbarians (men)

12:10, FNB Grootfontein v FNB Western Subrubs (men)

12:30, FNB Dolphin v Khomas (men)

12:50, Ongos Invitational v Erongo (men)

13:10, FNB Reho Falcon v FNB Rehoboth (men)

13:30, Wanderers Bokkies v United Gemsbokkies (women)

13:50, Reho Falcon Bokkies v Unam Steenbokkies (women)

14:20, FNB Wanderers v FNB Unam (men)

14:40, Montego United v Witz Barbarians (men)

15:00, FNB Kudus v Kharas (men)

15:20, FNB Western Subrubs v Khomas (men)

15:40, FNB Grootfontein v FNB Dolphin (men)

16:00, Erongo v FNB Rehoboth (men)

16:20, Ongos Invitational v FNB Reho Falcon (men)

16:40, United Gemsbokkies v Unam Steenbokkies (women)

17:00, Wanderers Bokkies v Reho Falcon Bokkies (women)

17:40, Winner Pool A v Winner Pool B, SF 1 (men)

18:00, Winner Pool C v Winner Pool D, SF 2 (men)

18:40, Women’s Final.

19:00, Men’s Final.