It has been a wonderful day on Monday, 17th of May 2010 when the 1st Junior Highland Games in Windhoek took place at the Multipurpose Youth Centre in Katutura. More than 120 children competed to become the strongest men and women and learned to use their growing strength in some unusual ways. Copied from the international adult games and customized for the kids, boys and girls between the age of 6 and 14 had to go through seven disciplines.
In the “Farmers Walk”, they had to walk rounds with two tree trunks in their hands and according to the rounds they made, they got different points. Other disciplines were “Pulling the caber”, “Putting the stone”, “Sheaf Toss”, “Tossing the Wellie”, “Hill Race” and a “Tug-O-War”. It is about having fun but also understand it as a serious competition where they can figure out the strongest one amongst them.
Rico Lachmann, a former employee of BSDaT, has already participated in a few international Highland Games in Europe and came up with the idea to also offer something similar to Namibia’s children. Most of the children have always been amazed and impressed by his strength and he wanted to show them how to measure strength in a positive way.
At the end of the day, the three best teams were awarded certificates, prizes and medals and they will undoubtedly remember their first games for many a day. It was a tremendous surprise that the strongest team overall was a girls’ team! In the singles competition, the first three winners of the boys and girls were also honourably mentioned. The tug-o-war was regarded as a competition on its own and was won by the girls team, “Gal Levels” with the seven team members Jennifer Nunuhes, Romencia Mukoko, Melandri Links, Vanessa de Klerk, Meroldi Kaoper, Sophia Cloete and Tete Appollas.
Rico and Susanne, the two initiators, have been supported by the Dutch Reformed Church Windhoek East and especially their music group which gave an energizing morning performance for and with the kids, OTB Sport and Stampriet Fresh Produce. Without all their huge support and many many helpers, this new event would not have been possible! Should you wish to have more information, please contact Susanne (
