By John Kay WaDisho
Namibia’s inline hockey team made history on Monday, defeating France 3–2 to clinch the bronze medal at the Chengdu World Games.
The victory marked the country’s best-ever finish in the event and underlined the rapid progress of a sport still developing in Namibia.
In a tightly contested match, Namibia combined disciplined defense with sharp counterattacks, holding off a late French push to secure the win.
The result sparked celebrations among players, coaches and supporters, with the Namibia Ice and Inline Hockey Association hailing the achievement as a milestone for the sport back home.
Inline hockey has been steadily growing in Namibia since the early 2000s, driven by dedicated local leagues and youth development programs.
The team’s podium finish in Chengdu is seen as a breakthrough, proving that Namibian players can compete with – and defeat – more established hockey nations.
While the United States edged the Czech Republic 4–3 in overtime to claim gold, Namibia’s bronze was a victory in its own right, bringing pride to a small but passionate sporting community.
With renewed confidence, the team now looks ahead to building on this success and inspiring the next generation of Namibian athletes.
Source: Namibia Ice and Inline Hockey Association
