After a nice jumpstart in March with the Swakopmund business league, the Namibian Ice and Inline Hockey Association (NIIHA) starts its official 2006 tournament season this weekend with the Badgers Tournament in Windhoek.

All five of Namibia’s Inline Hockey Clubs have entered for this weekend’s competition in which a total of 60 games will be played. A highlight of the weekend will be the on-going competition for players seeking a spot on the Namibia National Team that will participate in the IIHF Cham-pionships in Hungary in July. Compe-tition is intense for a limited number of team members, with several young players competing against last year’s "veterans" who participated in the last IIHF World Championships in Finland. Final selections will take place during the Easter weekend. In order to assist the National Team to cover its costs to compete in Hungary, NIIHA has organised several fundraisers. We are also giving individual people an opportunity to support the team by donating a specific amount or an amount per goal scored during the tournament. Sign-up lists will be available at the tournament and we seek your support for this worthy cause. Supporters can enter their name, specifying what amount they will contribute or how much per goal they will pay to support the 2006 National Team. Usually around 200 goals are scored during a tournament. NIIHA, together with the tournament host "Badgers", welcomes every spectator! Start will be at 14:30 on Friday 7th April 2006 at the Windhoek Show Ground in the International Hall.