Newspaper Cup to provide Easter weekend thrills

Organisers are thrilled to host the country’s biggest youth football and netball tournament, the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup.

The 2024 edition takes place over the Easter weekend, from Friday to Monday, at the Legare Sport Stadium in Gobabis, with over 10 000 people expected to flock to the capital of the Omaheke region.

Kavango West won the football final for the first time last year when they beat Otjozondjupa 2-0 in the final in Otjiwarongo.

In the netball final last year, Khomas retained the title by beating Otjozondjupa by seven points (34-27).

Edward Hauwombo, team manager of the 2023 football champions, said their team has trained and are looking forward to defending their trophy.

Despite minor obstacles, they will give it their all in Gobabis, he said.

“One of the biggest issues we faced was the players not having much time to prepare as parents are more focused on their kids pursuing their education.”

Hauwombo says although some players struggle to obtain soccer boots and netball shoes, he is hopeful that their participation will raise awareness among parents and guardians about the value and importance of sports and the opportunities it creates for their children’s future.

Captain of the Erongo netball team Remonde Helmo said their team is ready and will vie for top honours.

“We played valiantly in the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup in the past, with our recent accolade being in 2022, when we came second. This was a great achievement we wanted to replicate last year, but dut due to a number of injuries throughout the year, it was tricky to perform at our best. We still pushed through despite having less players and we gave it our best. We are going to Gobabis with a great mindset,” said Helmo.



STAGE IS SET

The NFA’s director for communication and IT, Cassius Moetie, says the local organising committee under the leadership of Omaheke regional councillor Erwin Katjizeu has been hard at work upgrading the Legare Stadium to meet the required standards of hosting the 22nd edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup.

“Preparations have been in full swing. Hon. Pijoo Nganate, governor of the Omaheke region, is excited and thrilled to host this youth under 20 football and netball tournament,” said Moetie.

He added that the minister of sport, youth and national service, Agnes Tjongarero, will address the attendees at the opening ceremony on Friday at the Legare Stadium.

“The governor has invited all his fellow governors from the other 13 regions to join him in Gobabis. The Omaheke region and the town of Gobabis are looking forward to welcoming Namibians in their numbers over the Easter weekend,” said Moetie.

Through the sports ministry, the government is a significant partner in this youth event. They are sponsoring government buses to transport 14 regional football and netball teams to and from Gobabis. Additionally, the ministry of education will accommodate the boys and girls in government school hostels.



ALL TO PLAY FOR

While the tournament gains national attention and has always brought new individual talents to the forefront and put them on a path for greater recognition, all players will pull together to further their regional team’s success.

Winners of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup with walk away with cash prizes. For football, the top three teams will earn N$35 000, N$20 000 and N$10 000 respectively. On the netball courts, the rewards are N$30 000, N$15 000 and N$9 000 for the podium places.

Nedbank Namibia communications and public relations manager Selma Kaulinge said: “At Nedbank Namibia, we believe in the transformative power of sponsoring initiatives that directly impact our youth. By providing opportunities for young people to engage in sports, we are fostering not only their physical well-being but also their personal development.

“As money experts who do good, sponsoring sporting events like the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, we demonstrate our dedication to youth development. In essence, our endeavours around youth programmes transcend mere financial support. They embody our commitment to aiding the next generation of leaders.”



COMPETITION DETAILS

Kick-off starts on Friday with Oshikoto vs Khomas and Hardap vs Zambezi playing the first matches simultaneously at 10:00.

The football teams are drawn as follows:

A: Zambezi, Oshikoto, Hardap, Khomas.

B: Kavango East, Kavango West, Oshana, Kunene.

C: Otjozondjupa, Ohangwena, Omusati.

D: //Kharas, Erongo, Omaheke.

The netball games will also commence at 10:00 with Omusati vs Ohangwena, and Kavango East vs Hardap, taking to the court in the first matches.

A: Ohangwena, Otjozondjupa, Kavango West, Oshana, Omusati, Kunene, //Kharas.

B: Hardap, Khomas, Erongo, Oshikoto, Kavango East, Zambezi, Omaheke.