Namibia gains experience at Cairo Challenger

Namibia’s boccia athletes returned with valuable international experience from the Cairo 2026 World Boccia Challenger recently held in Egypt, where athletes from 19 countries competed for top honours.Boccia is an emerging Paralympic precision ball sport, often compared to lawn bowls or curling.The sport tests control, accuracy and tactical awareness. Players propel red or blue balls as close as possible to a white target ball, known as the jack, by throwing or kicking them or using an assistive ramp.Boccia athletes are placed into four sport classes, from BC1 to BC4, according to the impact of their impairment on their ability to compete.Namibia travelled with six athletes, including captain Johannes Kahima (BC2), Aune Amutenya (BC4), Prince Namundyebo (BC1), Max Isak (BC2) and newcomers Selma Niilenge and Ethan Amutjira.Amutjira competes with the aid of a ramp and mouth pointer, assisted by ramp operator Floriana Mathews, who also provided medical support.Certified regional boccia referee and national team head coach Selma Kandali Ndaitwah accompanied the squad. She was supported by coach Ikechukwu Noble, assistant coach Shakela Tiopolina and team assistant Albertina Kapembe.Classification setbackUpon arrival, Niilenge and Amutjira underwent classification to determine their competition classes.Niilenge was not assigned a sport class and was therefore unable to compete, while Amutjira was classified as BC3 and made his international debut.The outcome reduced Namibia’s competing squad to five athletes and limited the country’s options in the team and pairs events, Ndaitwah confirmed to Sport Wrap.She admitted that it was an early blow to the team’s morale, but said the squad remained positive ahead of the competition.International testNdaitwah said the athletes came up against strong international opposition and delivered determined performances throughout the tournament.“Although we did not make it to the podium, the athletes performed very well. A standout achievement was Namundyebo reaching the semi-finals,” she noted.“This event allowed our athletes to earn world-ranking points. It was also an important stepping stone towards qualification for major international competitions, including the Paralympic Games,” Ndaitwah said.The athletes said they also learned from their opponents and valued the opportunity to compete internationally and build relationships with players from other countries.Travel setbackNamibia’s campaign was further disrupted when three of the athletes’ wheelchairs were damaged during air travel, prompting emergency repairs to ensure they could compete.“Even so, I am pleased with their performances. I believe the experience gained will contribute significantly to the country’s future preparations and boccia development,” Ndaitwah said.Although the international boccia calendar offers regular competition, Namibia’s participation has been limited by funding constraints.Before the Cairo Challenger, the country’s previous international outing was the Cairo 2025 World Boccia African Regional Championships.Ndaitwah has expressed interest in taking the team to the Pilsen World Boccia Challenger in the Czech Republic from 7 to 15 September, should funding become available.– mariud@nsh.com.na

Namibia gains experience at Cairo Challenger

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Republikein 2026-08-06

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