Cricket in Namibia rises to the challenge

Despite the challenges posed by Covid-19, cricket Namibia rose to the challenge and completed one of its most successful years with glowing reports at its recent annual meeting.

According to a press release issued by Cricket Namibia on Friday, “positive thinking and optimistic planning were key to ensuring not only the end of the 2019/2020 club season but also the implementation of a full cricket program.”

CN CEO Johan Muller said he focused on capacity building during this time, which led to international awards.

During the closure in 2020, we focused on building competencies and capacity building, with nine administrative staff taking 27 online courses and seven players taking online courses, while we trained 281 coaches and adapted a high-performance digital coaching program, he said.

“The administration introduced a hybrid office environment that allowed staff flexibility and monitored performance on the digital platform. We are pleased that these initiatives ensured that Cricket Namibia received recognition as regional winners as the best ICC initiative in 2020,” he added.

Muller spoke about last year’s highlights of a higher operational level of governance, building relationships with all stakeholders, increasing youth participation, and growing commercial partnerships.

“We completed both the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 club seasons, introduced new training tournaments in the form of national APS Sixes, National Week and a junior club structure. Our Ashburton mini cricket program grew from 26,000 to 40,000 players and our girls and women programs took shape , he added.

Cricket Namibia managed to get the national men’s and women’s teams back on the field in the recent Kwibuka tournament and impressive incoming Eagles tours against Uganda and emerging Proteas. “The ICC Men’s Performance of the Year Award was the highlight, while the digital campaign surrounding this award also made cricket one of Namibia’s regional winners and nominated for the ICC Fan Association of the Year Award,” Muller said.

The press release states that the establishment of various subcommittees was key to the involvement and effectiveness of CN programs, while the CN has subcommittees for goal scorers, judges, women, schools, coaches, and veterans ’cricket.

Muller thanked CN’s partners and sponsors for their support and commitment during the difficult financial period.

These partnerships allowed us to create new opportunities to better serve our stakeholders, he said.

The CN infrastructure development plan has led to new grass fields in United, CCD, Oval, Walvis Bay Private High School and Swakopmund, while other playgrounds are planned in Outjo and Gobabis. New cricket networks at the Kuisebmund Training Center and national networks also ensured the improvement of CN’s development programs.

Muller said the national men’s team had embarked on an intensive skills development, conditioning and personal development program, while their hard work was reflected in stunning performances against Uganda and emerging Proteas.

He added that they are now looking forward to the upcoming series against Zimbabwe A, the Titans and the Knights in August and September 2021 before they leave for Dubai and Oman for the T20 World Cup.

Muller said women’s and girls ’cricket had grown from strength to strength during 2021, with Capricorn Eagles reaching the finals of the Kwibuka tournament, where they lost to Kenya, while Sune Wittmann was the tournament’s top scorer and Victoria Hamunyela top goalkeeper.

CN President Dr. Rudie van Vuuren concluded his report by mentioning some of their highlights.

In May 2021, CN CEO Johan Muller gave a presentation on fan engagement and high-performance strategies for ICC Global Hour. This presentation was so well received that Cricket Australia was interested in using it as a case study on good governance, which is an incredible feather on the CN cover, he said.

“Cricket Namibia would like to say a special thank you and a word of thanks to our CEO. He has brought a new dimension to cricket management and taken us to the next level,” he added.