There is a widely spread belief in our country that sports participation, by its positive effects, contributes to better academic achievement and students’ status within school and social settings. Ben Shikongo, right-arm fast bowler and Mauritius Ngupita, right-arm off-break bowler for the Namibia National Men’s team support this relationship of positive influence of cricket participation on academic achievement.
Cricket Namibia development programs find ground in teaching and training cricket in our communities with an emphasis on the impact of the sport on “character” building and socializing effects of team members. Results have shown that sport participating students have better scores in all researchеd aspects.
Ben and Mauritius both started their cricket careers at the young age of 8 years old, in the year 2008. They started with softball cricket and eventually at the age of 10 and 11 years moved over to hardball cricket. The two players have been supporting and encouraging one another since the inception of their cricket journey. It is evident that positive youth development is dependent on offering intentional programming.
Participation alone does not result in growth but in fact, both players stress the importance of the characteristics of the settings in which programming occurs. Playing for the national cricket team inspired them to get involved, to offer their time and skill to the community as they develop young cricket players.
Ben and Mauritius both add that their inspiration and love for the game have much to do with the support they offered one another over the years and additionally the support of their coach Justice Hangula, who is currently the Cricket Namibia Development Officer at the Walvis Bay training facility.
Furthermore, both Ben and Mauritius faced a lot of challenges since starting their cricket careers, from missing cricket tours due to financial strain and walking for training sessions. Nevertheless, the two persevered with the help of some including Mr. Sandro de Gouveia (one of the Coastal U19 team mate’s father) who assisted with funds.
The two share their highlights; Ben was selected for the u15 National team, they toured to Botswanan and to Cape Town later that year in 2015. He was then selected for the u19 National team at the age of 16 years travelling to various countries, and he participated in the u19 World Cup in New Zealand in 2018 (January) which was a major personal achievement for him. In February 2018, he was also selected to play for the u19 National team at the Sunfoil three-day first-class series against Kwazulu Natal in South Africa. He then started playing club cricket in Walvis Bay in 2019 and shortly after was called by the National Head coach to start training with the National team in Windhoek. Ben was then contracted as a rookie player and made his first debut against Botswana in 2019. He has since been playing several games in both T20 and 50 Overs formats.
Mauritius on the other hand made it into the u13B team in 2012 and 2013 already, and in 2015 made it into u15B team but later the same year was selected for the u15A team. They player wasted no time as he was selected for the u19A team at the age of 16yrs. He has since been representing Namibia in the u19A team, he also got the privilege to play at the tri series against England and South Africa in 2017. In 2018 he was selected to represent Namibia at the u19 World Cup in New Zealand which was also a dream come true for our phenomenal right-arm off-break bowler.
Being part of the development program to #growcricketnamibia often serve as role models, mentors, counsellors and substitute parents for many youths and emphasize therefore the importance of having coaches that have not only the experience and passion for cricket development and training but also the passion to encourage the youth that their possibilities are endless.
The cricket coaches in the communities focus on moral development, direction setting, and coaching to further invest in long-term and consistent mentoring relationships. Ben and Mauritius add that it has been a remarkable journey to be part of.