Junior Heat chase AfroBasket berth

Namibia’s national U18 men’s basketball team, the Junior Kalahari Heat, will chase a place at the U18 AfroBasket tournament when they compete in the Zone Six Qualifier in Harare, Zimbabwe, from tomorrow until 30 July.

The side will face hosts Zimbabwe and Madagascar, with the regional winner advancing to the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) U18 AfroBasket final round in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from 5 to 16 August.

The continental finalists will qualify for the 2027 Fiba U19 Basketball World Cup.

Journey

The Junior Kalahari Heat departed from the Namibian Sports Commission offices in Windhoek on Tuesday for a 31-hour road journey to Zimbabwe.

Their participation was secured following a fundraising drive by the Namibian Basketball Federation (NBF), the players’ families and members of the local basketball community.

According to the federation, the team received its invitation on 4 July, leaving it with less than three weeks to raise the required funds and complete its preparations.

The collective effort raised N$106 711 towards the travelling costs of the players and officials.

NBF secretary-general Titus Mwahafa said the response demonstrated the basketball community’s commitment to creating international opportunities for young players.

“This journey has transcended sport. It has been about a community coming together to say that our children’s dreams are worth the sacrifice,” he said.

Unam's support

Before their departure, the players underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at the University of Namibia’s School of Medicine on 20 July.

The federation said the scans formed part of the age-verification requirements communicated to the team for the under-18 competition, with Unam covering the cost of the procedure.

Fiba’s regulations require players at youth competitions to undergo identity and age-verification checks before the start of competition, under the supervision of the appointed commissioner or technical delegate.

The travelling squad consists of Azadeh Milan, Brendell Jonathan, Dishena Hafeni, Hamuse Iionga, Iionga Shaangoye-Gomuwa, Kamwi Owen, Kandjii Uetuundja, Kankondi Tangi, Nandago Ndazinale, Nikanor Paulus and Samakupa Loth.

The five-member technical and management team includes coaches Mantius Amukoshi and Melusi Linda, as well as team manager Anna Iimene.

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