Taking kickboxing to the next level

The Namibian Kickboxing Federation (NKF) intends to develop the sport and athletes for the 2028 Olympics.

Therefore, the NKF is kicking off the year with a training seminar for officials on 24 February 2024 in Swakopmund.

The seminar with a focus on improving the quality of judging and referee skills, is a vital component of propelling the sport forward to greater heights, and can be live streamed to other regions. It is the first of its kind presented by the NKF.

The Federation currently has 17 registered officials, and according to its secretary general, Jackeline Sass, educational sessions like this help to keep them updated on rule amendments and offer the opportunity for any questions or concerns to be aired outside of a tournament setting.

The main speakers for the event consist of Sass, who is a World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO)-qualified Level C Classes Nations official, and Delano Muller, a 1st Dan kickboxing Sensei and a qualified Level B official in judging and refereeing. “The seminar will concentrate on topics such as the safety of the athletes, the roles of the officials, the rules of the kickboxing categories and judging criteria per discipline, and education on the rules and procedures as defined by WAKO, which has recently been affiliated with the International Olympic Committee,” explained Sass.

Equipping everybody

She encouraged the public to consider enrolling as an official, with many of the tournaments requiring a sizeable team to officiate and ensure the success of events.

Sass emphasised that the seminar will contribute greatly to standardising the sport throughout Namibia.

“This will be achieved by ensuring that all affiliates and officials are equipped with the same high level of tutoring and educational material.”

She said that the Federation also needs to identify potential candidates for the 2028 Olympics and commence developing them through strength and conditioning protocols, technique training, and overall coaching.

“In addition, the NKF wants to expand the sport across Namibia to as many regions as possible, offer more students the opportunity to become athletes in this prestigious worldwide sport, and ensure that people learn some crucial basic self-defense techniques.”

According to Sass, the NKF also wants to educate the public on the sport and art of kickboxing and dispel any misconceptions regarding the sport, as often it is portrayed as an aggressive or dangerous sport. “The opposite is factually true, due to the very strict regulations regarding athlete safety and anti-doping as enforced by WAKO.”

Upcoming competitions

The provisional calendar for NKF for 2024 promises six exciting tournaments for the year.

These events will showcase the sport and its athletes and draw much-needed attention to the sport in Namibia.

“Each tournament offers the officials the chance for further training and gaining experience, and it is imperative to host multiple tournaments throughout the year to ensure that a high standard is set and maintained,” said Sass.

The regional trials are smaller tournaments aimed at mentally and physically preparing athletes for the year’s fighting schedule, as well as refreshing techniques and strategies. These events will include the disciplines of point fighting, light contact, and forms, which are executed on the Tatami. Such tournaments are the proving ground for the Namibia Fight Championships, which are the national trials for the NKF.

The Erongo Regionals will be held on 2 March 2024 in Swakopmund. This tournament accommodates clubs affiliated with the NKF from Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.

The Khomas Regionals will be held in Windhoek on 16 March 2024. Previous female first-place winners include Beatha Shimooshili, Taleila Sass, Anastasia Sass, Bianca Hellwig, and Jackeline Sass. Male winners were Alexander Stauder, Stephanus du Toit, Giano Alcock, Jannie Gouws, Duhan Hefer, and Liam Blaauw.

The national qualifying trials for the Namibia Fight Championship will be held in Swakopmund on 13 April 2024. This is where athletes can test their mettle against opponents from different clubs and regions. The event also provides athletes with the opportunity to hone their fighting techniques and strategies.

The disciplines included in the national trials will be from both the Tatami and ring categories, and as such, they promise to provide interesting entertainment. The Namibia Fight Championship is the prelude to the international tournament, Desert Storm.

Definite highlight

The highlight of the year will be the much-anticipated fifth edition of the Desert Storm International Tournament. Athletes from various international destinations are invited to participate, including countries such as Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa from the African continent and Germany from abroad.

This tournament includes all disciplines with title fights up for grabs and will be hosted in the Erongo region from 28 June to 29 June. “This prominent tournament is presented on international standards, bringing athletes together to represent their countries and offering everyone a dynamic view of the entire sport, as well as helping foster favourable long-term relations between countries and athletes. Desert Storm is where Namibian athletes can be selected to represent the Namibian Kickboxing Team, and participation in this tournament is a pre-requisite to being considered for this nomination,” explained Sass.

Commemorating Heroes’ Day and the spirit of martial arts, the NKF will host the Tatami Heroes Tournament on 31 August. The competition is held exclusively on the Tatami and includes point fighting, light contact, and forms disciplines. Last year, the NKF launched the forms discipline with the Musical Forms and Creative Forms categories as new styles for kickboxers who do not wish to engage in one-on-one contact.

In addition, a “special” category was created to include otherwise abled athletes who would be able to participate in kickboxing as well. This is in line with the vision of NKF to be an all-inclusive sport, irrespective of gender, age, ethnicity, or ability.

The Fight Night tournament, which is exclusively for the ring disciplines of Full Contact, Low Kick, and K1, will be held in October. A definite date and venue will be advised at a later stage. “This tournament is for the toughest of the athletes, as it showcases all techniques permissible with full power while still adhering to the safety regulations. The last fight night was held in conjunction with the Namibia Sport Awards and Expo at The Dome in Swakopmund. Noteworthy was the first K1 fight for the year, taking place with Heinrich Andreas as the winner, concluded Sass.

Interested persons who wish to become an official or want to find out more regarding kickboxing in Namibia can contact the NKF via Facebook @kickfederation, e-mail ([email protected]) or telephonically at +264 81 148 1322.