At just 10 years old, Jacobina Uushona’s journey began on the courts of the Basketball Artists School (BAS) Foundation in Katutura, Windhoek. What started as a childhood passion in 2010 has grown into a remarkable international sports and leadership story.
“I didn’t realise that was the beginning of my sporting journey towards becoming a sporting professional,” she reflects. From representing Namibia at the U-17 level and competing at the Confederation of School Sport Associations of Southern Africa (COSSASA) games in Zimbabwe and Botswana, to playing for the BAS Falcons in the Khomas Basketball Association League, her love for basketball never faded. Even while pursuing an Honors Degree in Public Relations and Advertising at the University of Namibia (UNAM), she balanced academics with league basketball, already envisioning a future that blended sport and strategy.
Uushona’s breakthrough came in 2022 when she joined the Namibia National Olympic Committee & Commonwealth Games Association (NNOC & CGA) as an intern, confidently stepping into the arena of international sports administration. The opportunity positioned her on a broader global stage, allowing her to establish herself professionally within the international sporting landscape.
That global path led her to Seoul, South Korea, where she made history as the first Namibian and first female representative from Namibia in the prestigious Dream Together Master (DTM) Programme under the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC). At just 26, she completed her Master’s in Global Sports Management at Seoul National University (SNU), all while representing the university’s women’s basketball team.
Currently serving as an International Relations Intern at the Korea Anti-Doping Agency (KADA), she is plans to return home to Windhoek- not just with qualifications, but with a vision.
Asked about her wish for Namibian sport, she said: “I hope that we pursue constant change. Being in Seoul, I’ve embraced their 'how can we make it better' culture. There’s a sense of pride in how far South Korea has come as a nation, but they also understand that growth is continuous. They are always seeking newer and better ways to improve not just their sports sector, but the country as a whole. They never settle for good when better is possible- and that’s something I believe we, as a nation, can and should adopt. I also hope to see Namibia recognised more prominently in global sporting discourse- not only as a competitive team on the field, but also in terms of administration and decision making.”
Her wish for Namibian sport is clear: greater recognition not only in competition, but in administration and decision-making. She dreams of contributing to the National Anti-Doping Organization (NNOC) and, one day, the Ministry of Sport.
To aspiring athletes and sports professionals, her message is powerful: “Connection is wealth in this industry. Start where you are, use what you have. Volunteer. Give your time before you reap the rewards. Partnership should complement your growth — not begin it.” From Katutura to Seoul, and soon back home, her journey is proof that Namibian dreams can travel the world and return stronger.