By: Uakutura Kambaekua
With the absence of organised professional football in the country for the past (2) years, various rural and urban sports federations have kept most sports stars occupied while waiting patiently for the return of professional football and NFA fracases to clear up.
The year 2022 is no different as various sports federations are taking up where they left off last year with monthly sports tournaments across the country as football and netball lovers welcome yet another sporting Valentine tourney galore in Gobabis and Windhoek over the weekend.
GOBABIS
The annual Omaheke Valentines netball and football cup is set for Gobabis at the prominent Legare sports ground on Saturday and Sunday.
Confirming the tourney to The Villager on Tuesday, event organiser Uataviza Patire stated that the tourney has, in the past, yielded tangible results in terms of sports growth while also producing exceptional sport stars who later on joined the professional leagues’ ranks.
The N$ 30 000 tourney will play for one weekend, with more than 20 teams expected to partake. Teams will be registering with N$ 550 for the netball category, while football teams will book their spots with N$ 1 350. N$ 23 000 has been demarcated for the football category of the global amount while the remaining N$ 11 000 is set for netball. The netball champions will thus walk away with N$ 3 000, the runner-up will get N$ 2 000 while the semi-final losers will each settle for N$ 1 000. The football category winning team will be rewarded with N$ 11 000, a trophy and gold medals, the runner-up will receive N$ 6 000 and silver medals while the semi-final losers will each get N$ 3 000.
WINDHOEK
The Khomasdal and the Wanaheda sports field in the capital city will once again host the 17th edition Kasu Mbiripipo Ndjavera annual Valentine’s cup with a pledged global amount of N$ 35 000 up for grabs. Tournament organiser Kuveri Tjonga said the tourney is organised with the initial purpose of promoting sports at the grassroots level while at the same time providing a platform for youth to keep them busy away from unwanted activities. Interested teams are to register with N$ 1900 for both codes, with the netball winner to walk away with N$ 6 000 plus a trophy and gold medals. The runner-up will walk away with N$ 3 000 and silver medals while semi-final losers will each settle for N$ 1 500. The champions will walk away with N$ 11 000, a trophy, and gold medals for the football category. The runner-up will pocket N$ 6 000 plus silver medals, while the semi-final losers will each receive a consolation of N$ 3 000.
Tjonga further stated that with the absence of professional football in the country, the federation tournaments is now the only hope for league players to keep themselves fit while at the same time gaining some remuneration.
The tournament was last year won by the Truck team in the netball category, while Tom and Jerry claimed the football category.