Basketballers eye 2024 Olympics

STAFF REPORTER



Namibia’s 3x3 national basketball team recently competed in Doha, Qatar at the 2019 World Beach Games, also known as the ANOC World Beach Games.

The four-man team took part in the under-23 3x3 men’s division against 16 other nations.

They took part in three games.

Game one was played on 14 October against Ukraine, which ended 20-14 in the Eastern European nation’s favour.

On the same day the Namibians took on Mongolia and lost 21-12.

The final match on 15 October was against, which Namibia lost 21-15.

However, due to their competitive performances, Namibia’s ranking improved to 14th, putting them above Togo in 15th and Uganda in 16th.

One of the players, John Tjirimuje, said they were able to compete and go toe-to-toe with basketball powerhouses.

“I’m proud of my team and for how far we have come. This is only the beginning of the country’s journey towards becoming a household name in the 3x3 world.

“We have seen what the other teams have to offer and now we know what to work on and improve, not only as a team, but as a nation,” team captain Mantius Amukoshi said.

“This experience was my proudest Namibian moment and together we showed our competition why we known as the Land of the Brave, as we left our hearts on the court in every match.”

Mongolia who beat Ukraine 20-16 to claim bronze, while the Russian Federation won gold by defeating Brazil 21-19 in a nail-biting.

Namibia is non-Olympic country in the sport, but with more competitions and opportunities, its ranking can be boosted to open the door to Olympic status.

The Namibian Basketball Federation and Namibia National Olympic Committee aim to compete at the 2014 Olympic Games.