South Africa set sight on 50’s World cup
Cricket
South Africa’s Proteas Over 50’s cricket team triumphed in the 2024 Over 50’s Africa Cup, clinching victory in Windhoek between 17-20 November. The competition, held at three prominent cricket venues – the High-Performance Oval (formerly Doc Jubber), Wanderers, and United Cricket Grounds – saw South Africa dominate the field, finishing top of the log after winning all three of their matches.
The tournament, generously sponsored by Nedbank Namibia with a N$100,000 contribution, featured three competing countries: hosts Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. South Africa emerged victorious in each of their encounters, first beating Zimbabwe by 101 runs in the opening match. Their next challenge was Namibia, whom they defeated by an imposing 305 runs, before securing a tense 28-run win in their final match, setting up an exciting final showdown with their own Proteas team.
At the conclusion of the tournament, South Africa’s Wiaan Smit was recognised as the Batter of the Tournament, while Zimbabwe’s Darshan Vaghmaria claimed the Bowler of the Tournament award. Smit's stellar performance earned him the prestigious Player of the Tournament accolade, further cementing his pivotal role in his team's success.
In a speech during the awards ceremony, Hon. Dr. Emma Kantema-Goamas, Deputy Minister of Sport, Youth, and National Service, expressed her delight at seeing players over the age of 50 actively participating in the sport. She emphasised the benefits of staying active at any age, not only for physical health but also for mental wellbeing. “You are aware that playing sports at your age helps us stay healthy. Living an active lifestyle like this helps you avoid lifestyle diseases and helps deal with mental health issues. We as a ministry are using sports as a tool to promote social cohesion,” she said.
Kantema-Goamas also lauded the efforts of Nedbank Namibia and other sponsors, acknowledging their crucial role in supporting the Over 50’s tournament. She noted that the government alone cannot shoulder the financial burden of sporting events, and collaboration with sponsors is essential. She also commended Cricket Namibia for its role in professionalising the sport, a goal the ministry aims to extend to all sporting codes in the country. “We have a plan as a ministry to professionalise sports in Namibia. We have started to pilot with rugby, netball, and football. Rugby is halfway through there. Let’s encourage the young ones to take up sports professionally,” she remarked.
Nedbank Namibia’s Executive Head for Marketing and Communications, Gernot de Klerk, also addressed the gathering, congratulating Cricket Namibia for their successful organisation of the tournament. He encouraged more companies to invest in Namibian sports, highlighting the growing international interest in the country’s sporting scene. “We have the world flocking to our shores as there is international interest in our country. We need to do it for Namibia, and this is what Cricket Namibia has achieved; hence, it is our pleasure to be associated with them,” de Klerk said.
De Klerk also reflected on Nedbank Group's wider involvement in southern African sports, with their sponsorship extending to golf, cycling, rugby, and football. He emphasised their commitment to hosting prestigious events, such as the Nedbank Desert Dash and the renowned Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City in South Africa, underlining the bank’s dedication to promoting and supporting elite sporting experiences across the region. “It is an honour for us to be able to contribute to these experiences,” he concluded.
As South Africa’s Proteas Over 50’s cricket team bask in their well-earned victory, the success of the 2024 Over 50’s Africa Cup not only highlights the growing enthusiasm for masters-level cricket but also the vital role of sponsorship and collaboration in promoting sports across Southern Africa. With further efforts to professionalise local sports, Namibia, alongside regional partners like Nedbank, is poised to play an increasingly influential role on the international sporting stage.
The tournament, generously sponsored by Nedbank Namibia with a N$100,000 contribution, featured three competing countries: hosts Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. South Africa emerged victorious in each of their encounters, first beating Zimbabwe by 101 runs in the opening match. Their next challenge was Namibia, whom they defeated by an imposing 305 runs, before securing a tense 28-run win in their final match, setting up an exciting final showdown with their own Proteas team.
At the conclusion of the tournament, South Africa’s Wiaan Smit was recognised as the Batter of the Tournament, while Zimbabwe’s Darshan Vaghmaria claimed the Bowler of the Tournament award. Smit's stellar performance earned him the prestigious Player of the Tournament accolade, further cementing his pivotal role in his team's success.
In a speech during the awards ceremony, Hon. Dr. Emma Kantema-Goamas, Deputy Minister of Sport, Youth, and National Service, expressed her delight at seeing players over the age of 50 actively participating in the sport. She emphasised the benefits of staying active at any age, not only for physical health but also for mental wellbeing. “You are aware that playing sports at your age helps us stay healthy. Living an active lifestyle like this helps you avoid lifestyle diseases and helps deal with mental health issues. We as a ministry are using sports as a tool to promote social cohesion,” she said.
Kantema-Goamas also lauded the efforts of Nedbank Namibia and other sponsors, acknowledging their crucial role in supporting the Over 50’s tournament. She noted that the government alone cannot shoulder the financial burden of sporting events, and collaboration with sponsors is essential. She also commended Cricket Namibia for its role in professionalising the sport, a goal the ministry aims to extend to all sporting codes in the country. “We have a plan as a ministry to professionalise sports in Namibia. We have started to pilot with rugby, netball, and football. Rugby is halfway through there. Let’s encourage the young ones to take up sports professionally,” she remarked.
Nedbank Namibia’s Executive Head for Marketing and Communications, Gernot de Klerk, also addressed the gathering, congratulating Cricket Namibia for their successful organisation of the tournament. He encouraged more companies to invest in Namibian sports, highlighting the growing international interest in the country’s sporting scene. “We have the world flocking to our shores as there is international interest in our country. We need to do it for Namibia, and this is what Cricket Namibia has achieved; hence, it is our pleasure to be associated with them,” de Klerk said.
De Klerk also reflected on Nedbank Group's wider involvement in southern African sports, with their sponsorship extending to golf, cycling, rugby, and football. He emphasised their commitment to hosting prestigious events, such as the Nedbank Desert Dash and the renowned Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City in South Africa, underlining the bank’s dedication to promoting and supporting elite sporting experiences across the region. “It is an honour for us to be able to contribute to these experiences,” he concluded.
As South Africa’s Proteas Over 50’s cricket team bask in their well-earned victory, the success of the 2024 Over 50’s Africa Cup not only highlights the growing enthusiasm for masters-level cricket but also the vital role of sponsorship and collaboration in promoting sports across Southern Africa. With further efforts to professionalise local sports, Namibia, alongside regional partners like Nedbank, is poised to play an increasingly influential role on the international sporting stage.
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