Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup set for Easter weekend

27 March 2024  With less than 48 hours to go before the country’s biggest youth football and netball tournament - the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup - organisers say they are thrilled to host the competition over the coming Easter weekend. 

This year’s edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup will take place from 29 March to 1 April 2024 at the Legare Sport Stadium in Gobabis, with over 10 000 people expected to flock to the capital of the Omaheke region.

Edward Hauwombo, the team manager of the 2023 football champions, said their team has started training and they are looking forward to defending their trophy in this year’s edition of the tournament.

'One of the biggest issues we faced was the athletes not having enough time to prepare as parents are more focused on their kids’ pursuing their education. Most of these athletes struggle to have the required gear for the matches as well as training purposes,' he said, adding that despite the minor obstacles faced by the teams, they will give it their all in Gobabis. 

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

Captain of the Erongo Region netball team Remonde Helmo said that this year 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 the 2022 edition, where we came second. This was a great achievement we wanted to replicate in the 2023 edition. But due to the team sustaining injuries throughout the year, it was tricky to perform at our best. However, we pushed through despite having few players and we gave it our best,' said Helmo. She added that for the 2024 edition, they are going to Gobabis with a great mindset. 

NFA Director for Communication and IT Cassius Moetie says the local organising committee under the leadership of Omaheke Regional Councillor Hon. Erwin Katjizeu is hard at work upgrading the Legare Sport Stadium to meet the required standards of hosting the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup. 

'Preparations of the 22nd edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup are in full swing in Gobabis. The host, Hon. Pijoo Nganate, Governor of the great Omaheke Region, is excited and thrilled to host this youth under 20 football and netball competition,' said Moetie.

He added that the Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service, Agnes Tjongarero, is going to address the attendees at the opening ceremony of the competition on Friday, 29 March 2024, at the Legare Sport Stadium. 

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

The government of Namibia, through the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service, is a significant partner in this youth competition. 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.

Winners of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup with walk away with cash prizes of N$ 35 000 for football, and N$ 30 000 for netball. The runners up and third place teams will walk away with N$ 20 000 and N$ 15 000; N$ 10 000 and N$ 9 000 for football and netball respectively.

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 and strengthening the bond between the bank and the communities in which we operate.'

She concluded by saying: 'In essence, our endeavours around youth programmes transcend mere financial support. They embody our commitment to aiding the next generation of leaders.' 

Kick off starts on Friday, 29 March with Oshikoto vs Khomas and Hardap vs Zambezi playing the first games simultaneously at 10h00. The netball games will also commence at 10h00 with Omusati vs Ohangwena, and Kavango East vs Hardap, taking it to the court in the first matches of the tournament.