THE NAMIBIAN Newspaper Cup, which is proudly supported by Nedbank, doesn’t just offer a national stage for unknown but talented football players. It’s also a sensible and exemplary Namibian social responsibility programme.
It merges the resources, energy and capacity of private businesses, government institutions and the sports fraternity to deliver a prestigious, sought-after annual event.
Featuring all 14 regions since 2001, the under-20 football tournament has become one of the most anticipated events on the national sports calendar.
The tournament, held over the Easter long weekend every year, offers high-octane football, and also has a massive economic impact on the town selected to host the tournament.
Accommodation establishments, retail outlets and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) all benefit from the tournament’s presence in the selected town. School hostels, where players are accommodated, are given a facelift, and are renovated where necessary.
Sports facilities in the town where the tournament is held receive major upgrades. Both the Rundu (2016) and Katima Mulilo (2018) stadiums saw the installation of floodlights for the first time ever, and the netball court at the Katima Mulilo Sports Complex has been upgraded.
This year, also for the first time, the prestigious tournament will a have a netball tournament for under-19 girls.
Winners of the netball tournament, supported by Nedbank Namibia, will receive N$25 000, a floating trophy and gold medals. The runners-up will win N$12 500 and silver medals, while the second runners-up will collect N$6 250 and bronze medals. The fourth-placed team will receive N$3 125.
The overall winner’s prize for the football tournament is N$30 000, the runner-up will get N$20 000, and the semi-final losers will each pocket N$16 000.
Nedbank Namibia started supporting this tournament three years ago, and this investment, of N$500 000 every year, has already paid massive dividends.
This iconic, truly Namibian event has continued in its tradition of uncovering the country’s best young footballers and offering top Namibian and regional clubs, as well as national team selectors, an opportunity to run the rule over the talent on offer.
The Namibian recently reported that the Brave Warriors squad selected for the international friendly against Lesotho in Windhoek on Tuesday, 27 March, is predominantly comprised of The Namibian Newspaper Cup alumni.
Eleven (of the 25 players in camp) featured in the tournament between 2015 and 2017:
Lubeni Haukongo, The Namibian Newspaper Cup’s best player from 2017, Enzo Mungendje, Vipua Tjimune, Hubert Mingeri, Aprocius Petrus and Natangwe Petrus are all current under-20 national team players.
They have an upcoming Africa Nations Cup preliminary round first-leg qualifier for that age group against Botswana in Gaborone on Saturday, 31 March.
Kennedy Eib, Anthony Kham, Romeo Kasume, Brendon Kotungondo and Calvin Spiegel all represent the under-23s.
That’s not all: Edward Maova (Civics), Edmund Kambanda (Unam), Hendrick Somaeb (Blue Waters), Petrus Shitembi (Tura Magic), Benyamin Nenkavu (Tigers), Emilio Martin (Black Africa), Absalom Iimbondi (Tigers), Roger Katjiteo (Tigers), Kleopas Useb (Life Fighters), Riaan !Hanamub (Orlando Pirates) and Itamunua Keimuine (Tura Magic) were all Newspaper Cup graduates, who were part of Namibia’s history-making 2018 African Nations Championship (Chan) finals team.
Sheefeni Nikodemus, The Namibian’s sports reporter said: “Namibia’s team for last year’s under-20 Cosafa Cup tournament in Zambia had an 80 per cent Newspaper Cup alumni representation. These players were identified at the 2016 and 2017 tournaments at Rundu and Swakopmund.”
Nedbank Namibia’s decision to get involved in this progressive development programme was therefore natural, as it also dovetails with the bank’s Go Green approach, and its efforts to promote conservation in Namibia.
In recent years, the tournament adopted the conservation of natural resources as themes. The theme this year, ‘Conserve the Zambezi Bream’, attempts to bring attention to a Zambezi Regional staple that is under threat as stocks have fluctuated over recent years because of overfishing.
The Namibian Newspaper Cup, supported by Nedbank Namibia, will this Easter weekend once again offer a socially responsible platform for young footballers to thrive on, coaches to discover new talent, and for the residents of Katima Mulilo to enjoy good football and positive vibes.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
