BUCO Desert Sports Festival

Rudi Bowe

The 7th BUCO Desert Sports festival hosted by Walvis Bay Private High School (WBPHS) from 7 to 10 April at the school’s sports field was a big success.

With last year’s festival canceled due to the corona pandemic the festival took a new turn with only schools from Namibia participating. These schools were the host WBPHS, De Duine Secondary School, Pro-Ed Academy, Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool, Windhoek Gymnasium, Elnatan Private School, Windhoek High School, Moris Privaatskool and Windhoek Higher Technical School.
All players displayed in both team and individual brilliance and sportsmanship in the age groups under 13 to under 19 in Rugby, Hockey and Netball codes.
The festival was dominated by Windhoek Gymnasium as they won all their game in the deferent age groups in all sport codes.
Regional Manager from BUCO the main sponsor of the festival Mr. Johan van den Berg said the vision of the festival is to develop the youth as our sponsorships are aimed at youth development in sport.
“This is the seventh year that we are part of the Desert Festival and we believe that development is not only in academics, but that people skills are also necessary and not only in sport” Van Den Berg said.
The Head of Sport at WBPHS and head organiser of the festival Mr Henry Kemp said in the absence of spectators and Covid-19 regulations the festival was a big success.
Kemp said “The safety of all the participants, coaches and the organizers was our most important focus.”
“It was not ideal to host the festival without spectators, but it is important for the participants to have some time to play, especially given the limitation of Covid-19” Kemp said.
The heads of all the participating school said that the festival was well organized and they all thank WBPHS for hosting the festival and for inviting them.
The representative from the Namibian Sport Commission Mr. Tjiripo said that he is satisfied and amazed with the way that everyone is adhering to the Covid-19 protocols.
Tjiripo said “With sport totally dormant in 2020 it was about time for some school sport action and the BUCO Desert Festival was a good opportunity for the young sports men and women to start getting active.”
“I am happy to report that the festival with about 1000 young sport men and women was well organised and I would like to thank WBPHS for hosting the event and for adhering to the Covid-19 protocols” Tjiripo said.