Namibian junior rugby player Owen Hawanga has recently made an exciting move in his sporting career. The twenty-year-old athlete has signed a three-year contract to play rugby in the Polish Rugby Union League for Club Lechia Gdańsk, starting next year.

Hawanga's journey to this point saw him return to Namibia from South Africa, where he pursued sport management studies and underwent high-performance training at the Western Province Rugby Academy. Speaking to NBC Sport, he shared his experiences in South Africa and expressed his enthusiasm for this new career path.

During his time in South Africa, Hawanga engaged in sports management courses that focused on coaching and the corporate aspects of the coaching staff. Additionally, he gained practical experience in sports administration, which involved coaching children and understanding the dynamics of coaching. This training complemented his physical training, gym work, and games, ultimately contributing to his growth as a player.

Hawanga emphasized that his studies not only enhanced his skills as a rugby player but also taught him valuable lessons in independence. He took the opportunity to encourage fellow young athletes, emphasizing the importance of education alongside sports. He advised them to continue studying and listen to their parents, as sports careers eventually come to an end.

As a recipient of the 2023 Frank Fredericks Foundation scholarship, Hawanga and his mother expressed their gratitude to the foundation for the support they received. They acknowledged the financial demands associated with sports, particularly the necessary equipment and resources, and appreciated the assistance provided by the foundation.

The Frank Fredericks Foundation, through its chairperson, Frank Fredericks, extended their well wishes to Hawanga as he embarks on this new chapter in his career. They expressed their support and encouraged him to continue striving towards fulfilling his potential.

Hawanga's achievements include captaining the national under-20 team at the Barthes Trophy tournament in Kenya earlier this year. He was also part of Namibia's senior training squad for the Rugby World Cup, although he did not ultimately make it onto the final team that competed in France.

With his move to the Polish Rugby Union League, Hawanga has the opportunity to further develop his skills on the international stage.