Positive Actions lead to Positive News for Hockey during Lockdown Frustration

Positive Communique from the Namibia Hockey Union sheds some light at the end of the tunnel.

The NHU Secretary, Jens Unterlerchner had the following to say in a statement sent to clubs regarding Lockdown status for Hockey:

"Dear Clubs,

I had a discussion with the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) today to discuss ways of allowing hockey to resume practice with sticks.

Hockey is seen as a dynamic team sport and is thus classified as a contact sport. The NSC is submitting a proposal  to Parliament about which Sports are allowed and which Sport not, for each lockdown stage. All of Namibia, with the exception of the Erongo Region, is currently in lockdown stage 3, in which contact sports are prohibited. I know this is frustrating for all, and my enquiries over the last weeks have yielded the same answer time and again – no contact sport allowed.

But there is hope………. The NSC will submit a proposal to Parliament by the end of this week, proposing that contact sports be allowed to practice again, with restrictions, should the President decide that Namibia may move on to lockdown Stage 4, on 28 June 2020 as per Government plan. Parliament will discuss this proposal next week Tuesday. Hopefully, in the days following the announcement to move to stage 4, we will find out what restrictions and requirements will be applied in terms of safety and hygiene protocols for our sport.

If all goes according to plan, we should be allowed to resume hockey training without restrictions in August and continue with our leagues from September onwards.

The NSC are however hesitant to commit to an exact time line, as the country or some regions might be put back into Lockdown stages 1 or 2 again, thereby setting the process back.

Please stay safe and adhere to all the guidelines as provided by government and the NSC.  I will keep everyone abreast of all developments, as and when we are informed.

Regards Jens"

What a breath of fresh air in these trying times. One can only pray that the Government take these requests to heart and allow the Passionate Hockey Community to get back on the Hockey Fields and Courts to Play Ball.