OZOMBOUVAPA—The inaugural Felix Tjozongoro Okamatapati football and netball tournament starts this Saturday at the Okamatapati sports field in the Otjozondjupa region.
One of the organisers, Yvonne Tjakaurua said the knock-out competition is aimed at reviving the sport in the area and giving players opportunities to showcase their talent.
“There is no social engagement within the Okamatapati, and our areas are designed like private farms and thus make it difficult for residents to mingle with one another. This tournament will promote the spirit of togetherness among the youth,” Tjakaurua said.
She highlighted that the absence of a similar tournament in the settlement has affected the performance of Okamatapati All-Stars for many years and the Felix Tjozongoro Okamatapati tournament will add value to the elite settlement team.
In addition to trophies and medals, the organiser indicated that an amount of N$33 000 has been set aside by Felix Tjozongoro, who hails from the Epukiro constituency in the Omaheke region.
The football teams will vie for N$ 21 000 with the winner taking home a cash prize of N$10 500 with gold medals, while the runners-up will pocket N$5 500 in cash plus silver medals and each semifinal loser will receive N$ 2 500.
An amount of N$7 000 was allocated to a netball competition where the winner will walk away with N$4 000 cash with gold medals.
The runners-up will pocket N$2 500 and silver medals whereas the third-place comers will take home N$1 000.
The first football and netball matches are expected to start at 07h00 on Saturday.
Besides sport, Tjakaurua said there will be a beauty pageant on Saturday, to which an amount of N$5 000 has been allocated.
The winner, who will be crowned Miss Okamatapati will get N$2 500, while the first and second princesses will take home N$1 500 and N$1 000 respectively.
Tjakaurua also said that popular music groups like Die Laaste Hond, Rax Kandjoze, and Oviritje Combo featuring Murangere Kaaronda and others are expected to perform on the evening. The inaugural competition is expected to end on Sunday.
-zngaruka@yahoo.com