Okapya tourney set for December

The 6th Okapya Annual Soccer Tournament is set for 19 to 22 December at Ondangwa.

The event, which will be staged at Eleven Morning Star Sport Field close to Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo Airport, has become a staple attraction for the youth during the holiday season, keeping them engaged and away from self-harming activities.

“Additionally, small and medium-sized businesses get the chance to exhibit their businesses at the event. Players can showcase their skills and get scouted by coaches from different teams that often visit the competition thanks to the tournament,” the organisers say.

Okapya Liner Transport is the primary sponsor of the competition, which this year will see N$80 000 in prize money up for grabs.

“The competition will include youth and veteran football, and for the first time, we will host a women’s football exhibition match,” say the organisers.

“This year, we will host women’s football for the first time. The Okapya Annual Soccer Tournament’s women’s soccer exhibition match will take place before the veteran and youth soccer final on Sunday, 22 December, when Khomas Nampol Ladies FC will play African Star Queen FC.”

Ondangwa Masters are the reigning veteran’s football champions after defeating Northern Coaches in the final last year, while Further Fighters from the Ohangwena region in the northern east stream first division are the defending champions in the youth football section after defending Sasa Boys on penalties last year.

The youth football registration is N$1 300 and is open to any team. The winners are guaranteed N$20 000, 18 gold medals, a trophy and football kit.

Second place is worth N$10 000, 18 silver medals and a football kit, while the semi-final losers will pocket N$2 500 each.

The two teams that advance to the final will receive the kits prior to the final, and don them in the deciding contest.

Veteran football is exclusively for players aged 37 or older, and prior to kickoff, all participants will be asked to present their national identification.

Registration fee is N$1 000. The winners will collect N$10 000, 18 gold medals, trophy and football kit, with the runner-up getting N$6 000 18 silver medals and a kit.

The semi-final losers will all receive N$2 000.

Each man in the match from the round of 16 will receive N$200, a water bottle, Bonaqua and Sunsation juice plus a Predator Energy drink.

The player who scores the most goals will receive N$700, while the player of the tournament will receive N$1 000.

This year’s tournament is sponsored by Okapya Liner Transport (main sponsor), Coca Cola, Sunsation Juice, Onamulunga Service Station, Predator Energy Drink, Energy 100 Fm, Shili Ambulance, Jan Japan Motors, Nampower, Atai Investment, Piyet Investment, Bonaqua, NBC, FI Electrical & Construction, Alv Consulting Enginners, Good One Media and Kashipu Investment.