WINDHOEK, 26 JUN (NAMPA) - The Namibian national under-13 rugby team left for Durban, South Africa on Thursday to take part in the Craven Week festival.
The Craven Week is an annual rugby union tournament organised for schoolboys in South Africa. This year, Namibia and Zimbabwe will join nine South African provinces participating in the schools tournament.
The 22-member team gathered at the Pioneerspark Primary School sports field in Windhoek on Wednesday evening for a capping ceremony, witnessed by their proud parents.
Speaking during the ceremony, Namibia Schools Sports Union (NSSU)S National Coordinator Solly Duiker told the youngsters that it was a privilege for him to stand in front of future Namibian rugby players.
Credit should be given to the parents, who have been behind these children. You supported them throughout their sporting activities.
As for the players, you should feel proud to have been selected out of eight regions involved with NSSU schools rugby, he noted.
These regions were Erongo, Oshikoto, Oshana, Khomas, Otjozondjupa, Hardap, Karas and Omaheke.
Please, when you get to Durban, behave yourself and respect your coaches. If any of you is found to be misbehaving or bringing shame to the national colours, we will strip you of the national colours and suspend you from all national activities for the next five years, he warned.
The team will travel with five officials, and their first stop before Durban will be in Kimberley on Friday when they play a warm-up match against the Griquas youth team.
Namibias first match in the Craven Week is on Monday against Falcons.
The trip to South Africa was made possible by the NSSU, and their two main sponsors are Sanlam Namibia and Coca-Cola.
Other sponsors are Bedding Warehouse, Welwitschia Insurance Brokers, Scrap Metals and First National Bank (FNB) of Namibia.
The team is expected back on 06 July.