Hockey players and fans around the world are preparing for the upcoming 2022 Indoor Hockey World Cup in Belgium, and the University of Johannesburg (UJ) student, Jivanka Kruger, will represent Namibia in the competition. The Namibia Hockey Union announced its squad for the World Cup on 13 October 2021, including the UJ student on its list of selected national players.

“I’m always grateful for the opportunity and to wear the eagle badge with pride. It is an honour to represent my country at such a high level in our sport. It has always been a dream to play for Namibia and I am privileged that I have been given the opportunity to raise the Namibian flag high on a global stage,” says Kruger.

The Biokinetics honours student has previously represented Namibia in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments and the 2019 Olympic Qualifiers. Although she has featured in the national team for four years, it will be her first time competing in a Hockey World Cup.

“To play in the World Cup for the first time is a huge honour and privilege for me. I am still shocked that I made the World Cup team even after playing in the qualifiers at the beginning of the year, but teams always change and I’m still processing all the emotions,” adds Kruger.

Since joining the University’s Hockey Club in 2017, Kruger has been juggling being a student-athlete and representing her country in continental competitions. Together with her younger sister, Jantwa Kruger who is a first-year student at UJ, the pair have represented Namibia in various hockey competitions.