Namibia takes on Kafue River challenge

Namibia finished fourth in an AUSC Regions 5 River Angling Competition.
ADOL KAURE
Kafue, Zambia • Adolf Kaure



The African Union Sport Council (AUSC) Regions 5 River Angling Competition took place at the ­Kafue National Park North in Zambia recently.

This was the first ever river angling Region 5 competition since the river angling facet was started.

The competition, which was held from 21 to 25 August, featured four nations namely hosts Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

It was a species competition and the competition rules required that anglers had to catch four species of catfish, four different species of bream, four different species of squeaker and four different species of silver barber.

The more fish you caught and the ­bigger the fish, the better for the country in terms of winning.

In the Namibian team were ten senior men, three junior men and three ladies. The Namibian team had seven boats.

The senior men were Joao Coimbra, Mario Koegelenberg, Ben van Wyk, Chris Labuschagne, Izak Groblaar, Stoffel ­Strydom, Trevor Torr, Wilhelm Schmidt, Willie Theron and Mauro Rosa (team captain).

Junior men comprised I.J. Groblaar, W.J. Otto and Friedich Groblaar, while the ladies were Lantie Strydom, Suzette van der Merwe and Benita Theron.

“We had one practice day because the Kafue River was new to us. We had one day to figure it out and we did it.

“The competition lasted three days. By the second day, we managed to figure out the pattern.

“By that time we were behind but managed­ to keep that gap so that other countries couldn't leave us further behind.

“The fishing there is different to what we are used to in our local rivers like the Kavango and Zambezi,” said Namibian team member Joao Coimbra during an interview.

“We did, however, learn a lot from the experience and the competition will be taking place again next year and this time Namibia will host it.

“We are ready to compete and do better,” he said.

He further thanked the sponsors who made it possible for the Namibia angling team to take place in the competition.

The sponsors included: Taranga, Cold Air, Auto Body Works, Polygraph, ­Aliboats Namibia, Omashare Hotel, Aqua Drilling, Factory Shop, Karan Beef, Camp RedFin, Walvis Bay Express, Caprivi Adventures, Luka Optics, Katima Security, Pupkewitz Toyota Windhoek, Tyre Rack Rundu, Spar Rundu, Pupkewitz Toyota Rundu and Ocean View Shell.

The overall results were as follows:

1. Zimbabwe

2. Zambia

3. South Africa

4. Namibia

The 2020 Region 5 River Angling Competition will take place on the Zambezi River on a date that is still to be confirmed.