Zebaldt Ngaruka
EPUKIRO – The first edition of the late Dino Vezepa Karita’s football and netball Top
10 All-Stars tournament will kick off on Friday at the famous Khomasdal Stadium in the capital.
The competition, under the auspices of the Namibia Rural Sports Development Federation (NRSDF), is aimed at honouring the late Karita, who was an influential person in the development of rural sport.
Despite the trophies and medals, N$35 000 is set aside for the competition.
In an interview with New Era Sport, competition organiser Ngatuuane Hange said the late Karita played a pivotal role in the NRSDF. The federation will honour him for his remarkable contributions.
“He was a player for Aminuis All-Stars. He managed local teams, and went on to form a Kalahari constituency team, which participated in NRSDF competitions as well,” Hange said.The organiser said the late Karita wanted to host a tournament of ten All-Stars teams, but his dream was cut short.
“It is against this background that we honour our final tournament for this year under his name. We will depart to our respective constituencies for the festive season tournaments. It will be great to remember his legacy in this fashion,” he said.
In the first match on Friday, Epupa will play against Otjombinde at 19h00.
This will be followed by Eiseb against Otjinene at 21h00.
On Saturday, the field will open at 12h00, and will see Aminuis All-Stars locking horns against their Okondjatu counterparts in the first match.This will be followed by Epukiro, who will play against Kalahari All-Stars at 16h00. Otjimbingwe will face Gam All-Stars in the following match. The quarter-final and semifinals will continue after the first-round matches. In the netball competition, Otjombinde Ladies will open the proceedings against Kalahari All-Stars in the first game on Saturday at 13h00. It will be followed by Otjinene up against Eiseb in the second one.
Epupa will play Otjimbingwe in the following match, while Gam ladies will face their counterparts from Aminuis.
The competition is expected to end on Sunday, with the netball final starting at 14h00.
The football final is at 16h00. The entrance fee is N$30 for adults. Children will pay N$10.