The Namibia Table Tennis Association (NTTA) recently hosted a successful ARYSTEQ & Simonis Storm school tournament series at the Wanderers ground in Windhoek. This initiative aimed to bolster grassroots development within the sport.
Despite often receiving less attention than other sports, the NTTA has been actively working to increase table tennis’s visibility. This tournament drew participants aged 11 to 19, including youth from diverse Windhoek areas like Havana, Kilimanjaro, Goreangab Dam, Okahandja Park, and beyond.
The timing of the competition is particularly significant, as Namibia prepares to host the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 games in the coming months, where table tennis will be a featured sport.
Trophies were awarded across various age categories. In the girls’ U-13 division, Esther Ndenge claimed first place, followed by Emilia Amwaama in second, Sylvia Ikanda in third, and Hertha Pondjamba in fourth.
In the girls’ U-15 category, Justina Namupolo secured first place, with Karolina Shigwedha taking second, Cadence Farmer third, and Ester Shatika fourth.
Lian Gebauer dominated the girls’ U-17 division, followed by Cadence Farmer, Caroline Shigwedha, and Justina Namupolo.
Gebauer also triumphed in the girls’ U-19 division, with Karolina Shigwedha, Cadence Farmer, and Justina Namupala following.
In the boys’ U-13 division, Fillemon Ikanda took top honors, with Terence Kandandara, Wilhelm Twyman, and Nathanael Dayelai placing second, third, and fourth, respectively.
Kamrouz Ghayouri won the boys’ U-15 division, followed by Agape Chicalu, Daniel Beukes, and Jason Kandandara.
The boys’ U-17 division saw Agape Chicalu take first place, with Kamrouz Ghayouri second, Caden Bosman third, and Pascal Eysselein fourth.
Finally, in the boys’ U-19 division, Kamrouz Ghayouri emerged victorious, followed by Caden Bosman, Pascal Eysselein, and Agape Chicalu.