Oshana pre-season tips off ahead of league campaign

Basketball
The league will tip off on 13 March, featuring 15 teams across the men’s and women’s divisions.
Mariud Ngula
  • 9 Hours Ago

The Oshana Basketball Association’s Northern Basketball League got its pre-season campaign underway last weekend with a series of warm-up fixtures at the University of Namibia (Unam) Hifikepunye Pohamba Campus.

Held under the auspices of the Namibian Basketball Federation (NBF), the matches set the tone for the official season tip-off on 13 March.

A total of 10 men’s teams and sides from the newly established women’s division were in action.

In the men’s division, defending champions Nust Eenhana opened their account with a convincing 64-46 win over Ongwediva Run Along Hawks.

Hosts Unam Hifikepunye Pohamba (HP) endured a tough outing, going down 68-18 to Ohangwena Greenside. Ondangwa Basketball claimed a 57-38 victory over Oshakati Basketball, while Unam José Eduardo dos Santos (Jeds) fell 50-34 to KTB.

The sole women’s fixture saw Lady Hawks secure a dominant 64-46 win over Unam HP.


Race for the top wide open

League director Tulimevava “Coach TC” Nghilalulwa praised the competitive intensity shown during the opening matches, saying teams left everything on the court.

“This season’s teams are all equally competitive, and we witnessed that on Saturday. I think the introduction of new teams and the women’s division leaves the race for the top spots wide open,” he said.

The men’s league has expanded from eight to 10 teams with the addition of Ohangwena Greenside and Tsumeb Titans.

They join defending champions Nust Eenhana, Run Along Hawks, KTB, Ondangwa Basketball, Oshakati Basketball, Unam Jeds, Unam Ohongo and Unam HP.

The newly formed women’s league features Lady Hawks, Unam HP, Nust Eenhana, Gabriel Tappopi (GT) Dolls and Ongwediva Multisport Centre (OMSC) Queens.


Registration still open

Nghilalulwa confirmed that registration remains open for new teams and emphasised that the league has no age restrictions.

“Players do not have to be 18 years and older to compete. We witnessed promising young prospects making their mark last weekend. It was also encouraging to see some experienced players return to the league with KTB,” he said.

Two additional pre-season fixtures are scheduled for this Saturday at a venue yet to be confirmed. OMSC Queens will face Unam HP in the women’s division, while the men’s section will feature a Unam derby between Jeds and HP.

More warm-up matches are planned ahead of the March season opener, including the much-anticipated Friday night fixtures known among supporters as “Friday Ball”.


League format

The league will follow a double round-robin format, with teams playing home and away fixtures. The top four teams in each division will advance to the playoffs.

The top three teams in both the men’s and women’s divisions will receive prize money, medals and trophies.

Nghilalulwa is supported by head of officials Penda Hamata, secretary Laina Ndoroma, treasurer Mario Certo, marketer Isack Shangula and additional member Peres Mvula.

The Northern Basketball League aims to strengthen basketball development in the country’s northern regions by providing competitive platforms for youth and senior players, while serving as a pathway to national-level competitions and the national teams.

– mariud@nsh.com.na