Meet cricket whizz Nuuyoma

• By Michael Uugwanga

TANGI Nuuyoma (19) is already making a name for himself after receiving his first call-up to the senior men cricket team, the Eagles A side, to play against Uganda in the One Day Castle Lite Series in Windhoek.

The Castle Lite Series ended 1-all, with Nuuyoma playing in both matches after receiving a call-up from national team coach Pierre de Bruyn after impressing him  while playing for his premier league outfit MR 24/7 Welwitschias.

MR 24/7 is a team that is made up of top coastal players.

Confidente caught up with Nuuyoma this week to ask him about his cricket journey and what prompted him to take up the sport.

“My cricket career started when I moved from Opuwo to Walvis Bay in 2014 for the continuation of cricket and better education. I was in grade five at the time.

“While settling in well in Walvis Bay, after six months, my new neighbour who turned out to be a coach then took me for training in Kuisebmund and introduced me to two other coaches, who then introduced me to cricket.

So I can say it is where my cricket career started.

“As time passes by my passion for the game of cricket grows.

Cricket is a lovely game and it is my best engagement next to studies. I really have a deep interest in it,” said the young sportsman.

He remains shocked and at the same time excited to have been called-up to the national team, which already comprises of top players.

Nuuyoma is a bowler and is already dreaming of playing at the 2027 Cricket World Cup of which Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa are set to co-jointly host.

“I joined Sparta cricket club in January this year, but in the first division I play for Blue Waters. When I got the call-up I was shocked and at the same time excited and it was a good feeling to play. As a young cricketer I always had two aims, to play for the Eagles and secondly to play at the World Cup, in particular the one in 2027.”

He said playing against Uganda was one of his best moments as a cricketer, an experience he will never forget.

“Getting a chance to play against Uganda was a very good feeling. Playing for the Eagles is a dream come true and a good feeling. I have learnt a lot playing alongside my national teammates. I have also learnt from them to believe in myself and to keep on working hard and to never thinking of giving up,” said Nuuyoma who also loves to play chess and read in his spare time.

Cricket is becoming one of the most appealing sport codes, thanks to the country’s good showing at last year’s International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup Super-12 stage in the United Arab Emirates.