OPS Pupils Take South African Badminton Champion Title

[Michael Alexander]

Ok, here it is in all it's glory.... I had the utmost honour to accompany the U13 Oranjemund Badminton team to the South African National Championships in East London . It was to be a long two day trip...... going via an overnight stay in Mossel Bay.

In East London the Oranjemund contingent would be joined by two other U13 kids flying in from Windhoek and together, these 11 youngsters would be representing Namibia.

Well, I was utterly astonished at the talent of our youngsters, the started the first day by blowing away the WP A side 8-0. They then proceeded to further demolish the Free State side also by 8 games to nil....... the crowd started to murmur..... where on earth had Namibia found these up and coming stars...... we , Oranjemunders , stand tall..... 9 out of those 11 team members are all pupils at OPS....... The locals could not believe that 9 of these kids attended one small school and were utterly astonished that they were not from Windhoek but from a little town in the desert.....

Team Namibia spent the next 5 days beating Northern Gauteng, Natal and the Boland to walk away with the A section title of being the South African National U13 Badminton champs..... (also the champs in Namibia....) They went on further to add a number of mixed titles to their credit, with the local lass, Nita Scholtz taking the top seeded position.... Team Namibia also took the Girls double title , with young Herschel Witbooi taking the U11 boys number on spot...... Our kids then took awards in all the various games.... and appeared in all the final games, at one stage, out of the four courts, we had players competing on 3 of them.....

This is the first time that Namibia has ever taken the highest honours in Badminton .....

I have attached the following snaps.......

[Michael Alexander]

We were complemented for having well mannered children who had the most excellent of courtside manners.....

[Michael Alexander]

A lot of the South African's were not happy to have the Namibians playing in their provincial tournament and taking their seeds..... it was pointed out to them, that it was to their advantage to see how far they had fallen behind.....

[Michael Alexander]

 

[Michael Alexander]

This Friday, our U19 side will be departing to Durban for the Champs to be held there. We came 2nd last year...

[Michael Alexander]

 

[Michael Alexander]

 

[Patricia Lotte]

  well done to the team. You guys are the best and make us old Oranjemunders really proud. Great things come out of that little town ... 

[toonfandangl]

To all involved team, coaches,  organizer's, drivers,and to all the parents....................the snaps of the event are great well done all..............

[Cherry (Alcock)]

Well done team and all involved!

[SandyB]

Well done !!   

[Barbara Eia (Brownless)]

   wll done to all of you , we ar very proud of your achievements

[Ahrens]

Blue bulls are looking for champs.... Now they know where to go... Well done... Freddie

[lorna]

 

[Keith Margetts]

Well done . . . sounds most impressive!!!