Africa-Press – Namibia. THE 20th edition of The Namibian Newspaper Cup was officially launched at Oshakati on Tuesday.
The much-anticipated tournament is expected to kick off on 26 August and will last until 28 August.
The newspaper cup was started in 2001 and will turn 22 this year.
About 1 000 participants are expected to take part in the tournament.
The theme of this year’s cup is ‘Enhancing a Pristine Sport Environment’.
The main sponsor of the tournament is Standard Bank.
Other sponsors include Coca Cola, the Namibia Football Association, the Namibia Sports Commission, and the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service.
Standard Bank has boosted the tournament with N$1 million.
During the launch, the draws for the football and netball competitions were made, and the regions will play in groups.
With the netball fixture, group A consists of the Oshikoto, Kavango West, Erongo, Khomas, //Kharas, Otjozondjupa and Ohangwena regions.
Group B consists of the Omusati, Kavango East, Kunene, Omaheke, Hardap, Zambezi and Oshana regions.
The football draw consists of four groups: Group A consists of the Otjozondjupa, //Kharas, Zambezi and Kavango West regions.
Group B comprises the Kunene, Hardap, Ohangwena and Omusati regions.
Group C involves the Oshana, Khomas and Erongo regions.
Group D consists of the Oshikoto, Kavango East and Omaheke regions.
The draw was made by The Namibian’s editor-in-chief, Tangeni Amupadhi, Oshana governor Elia Irimari, Oshakati mayor Leonard Hango, and Standard Bank spokesperson Magreth Mengo.
Speaking at the launch, minister of sport, youth and national service Agnes Tjongarero’s speech was read on her behalf by the director of sport, Jo-Ann Manuel.
She said the return of the newspaper cup creates excitement among the youth.
Tjongarero said young athletes and sport lovers are hungry, happy and passionate about playing football and netball.
“We are grateful that The Namibian Newspaper Cup is still going strong, and we trust it will be there for the coming 20 years as well,” she said.
She added that as a government, they are greatly indebted to corporates, institutions and individuals who continue to aid the government in delivering its mandate.
“Sport competitions do not only promote economic development and a healthy lifestyle, but are catalysts for social cohesion,” she said.
Oshana governor Elia Irimari said the newspaper cup would be the first after the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said he is thankful to the government for agreeing to help the newspaper cup with buses to transport the regional teams.
Speaking at the same event, Netball Namibia’s vice-president, Isador Nell, said various netball players have emerged from platforms such as The Namibian Newspaper Cup.
“The Namibian Newspaper Cup will see girls share their talent, skills and knowledge of netball,” Nell said.
She said she is thankful to The Namibian for contributing to the re-establishment of netball in the country where netball used to be inactive.
Standard Bank managing director Mercia Geises said there is an opportunity to make the tournament the most-anticipated sporting event on the calendar.
“An influx of people will contribute to the local economy, and local businesses can be exposed to new customers and make their products and services available to a wide range of people,” Geises said.
Amupadhi said the cup is a youth competition, and sending children to school is not enough – there is a lot parents need to do.
“We have to be multidimensional in our investment. We will have about 1 000 participants as players and officials coming to the tournament,” he said.
Amupadhi said when a huge amount of money is invested in such events, room is made for street vendors and hawkers to set up.
“Now that we have netball in the tournament, we know we have a sizable sport on the cards. We have a real direct investment in our youth,” he said.
The editor said many Namibian football stars, such as Peter Shalulile have joined the national team from the newspaper cup.
“In fact, if i am not mistaken, all the Brave Warriors players came through the newspaper cup,” Amupadhi said.
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