By: Hee-Dee Walenga
Ongos Valley and the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) announced on Tuesday that the housing developer will support the Union’s sevens rugby tournament for a third successive year.
The tournament will consist of three legs, with the first kicking off in Oranjemund on 15 August. The tournament will then proceed to Walvis Bay on 3 October, with the championship round taking place in Windhoek on 23 and 24 October.
The total prize money will be a pool of N$100,000.
NRU CEO John Heynes revealed that a new addition to this year’s tournament is the inclusion of school rugby.
“School rugby will be included in the series for the first time, creating a powerful development pathway that connects grassroot talent with elite competition. Young players will compete alongside seasoned professionals, inspiring the next generation of rugby excellence,” Heynes stated.
Ongos Valley spokesperson, Abed Erastus, added that “Our partnership with the Namibia Rugby Union through the Ongos Valley Sevens tournament has always been about more than rugby. It’s really about investing in the long-term well-being and growth of Namibian communities.”
Erastus noted that the tournament brings the communities of the three hosting towns together.
Last year’s tournament was won by The Witz Barbarians, who hail from South Africa.
Revival of International Sevens Rugby in Namibia
NRU President, Petrie Theron, revealed that Namibia will host an international rugby sevens tournament from the 31st of October to the 1st of November later this year.
“It’s a reflection of the confidence that partners and participating unions have in Namibia’s ability to play, to host such a competition of this high standard,” stated Theron.
Thereon said the tournament provides Namibian players with an opportunity to compete against international opponents on home soil.
“Investing in our youth is the pathway to greater success on the world stage,” remarked the NRU President.
Theron concluded by stating that the partnership with Ongos has revived sevens rugby in Namibia.
“Sevens rugby in this country was, so to speak, dead. Through the vision of Ongos and the board, this tournament has revived sevens rugby in this country,” Theron expressed.
