12 September 2017
Namibia is currently ranked 37th out of the 38 countries ranked by the International Netball Federation.
The senior national netball team, dubbed the ‘Desert Jewels’, are second from bottom on the INF netball world ranking log.
The log was last updated on 4 July and includes matches up to 1 July 2017.
According to Joan Smit, the International Netball Federation (INF) Africa regional development manager, the results from the Pent Series will be forwarded to the INF. They will then calculate ranking points for all the countries that took part in the tournament.
Smit said Namibia gained a lot from the tournament and was sure to move up on the log.
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The local team took third place in the five-day Debmarine Pent Netball Series tournament which ended at the Israel Patrick Iyambo Police College in Windhoek on Sunday.
Zimbabwe were crowned champions of the series after winning all four of their games and Zambia took second position after losing to Zimbabwe in their last game of the competition.
Botswana took fourth position while Swaziland finished bottom of the group.
Namibia started well by beating Swaziland 51-34.
In the opening game, the hosts missed a lot of chances which could have set them apart from the group. In their last match of the series, Namibia lost 38-40 to Botswana.
Despite being unable to take the cup, Manuel Tjivera, the coach of Namibia, said the team performed well and the exposure was what they needed.
He said they were now preparing for the Africa Netball Cup which will take place early next year.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
