Julinho kickstart ambitious project

Julinho is on a mission to become “Namibia’s largest and most comprehensive football club”. This follows the recent merger of three clubs – Julinho Sporting FC, Girls and Goals FC and Athletic Club Football Academy – to form to form Julinho Athletic Football Club (JAFC).

The plan is to become a force to be reckoned with domestically and eventually abroad, the ambitious club says.

Under the JAFC banner is a men’s premiership team, a women’s premiership team, a men’s under-23 development side residing in the Khomas second division, the Kavango East regional under-23 women’s development team, Windhoek and Rundu-based academies for both boys and girls, and two teams in the national futsal first division.

Collectively, the landmark project comprises of around 500 players under the Julinho Athletic Group (JAG) chaired by Miguel Hamutenya, with Isac Tjombonde as his deputy.

“With their combined vision and expertise, we are confident that JAG will reach new heights and continue to promote excellence in national football and community development,” the club says in statement.

“This will culminate in an intricate and extensive football network, allowing all players to start at the academy level and progress through the development stages before ultimately playing at the highest level in country,” the club says of its vision.

“This new alliance will create co-ed football academies in major towns of Namibia. It is the intention to replicate the Windhoek academy countrywide in the next 18-36 months.

“Julinho Athletic FC will strive not only to produce the best football players in Namibia but to create players that also focus on education to be great citizens post football.

“As we celebrate the dawn of this new era in Namibian football, one where unity, talent, and excellence are at the forefront of our shared journey, we appreciate all the stakeholders that have made today happen,” the club says.