Zebaldt Ngaruka

A fierce battle is expected at the Easter Open tournament, with 35 football teams competing for top honours at 8ste Laan’s Mokuti sports field in the capital. 

The inaugural football competition under the auspices of ‘Do Your Work Promotions’ is aimed at keeping youth busy during the Easter weekend. 

Bethold Katjimune, the competition organiser, told New Era Sports that the youth in various suburbs in Windhoek used long weekends to hang around, roam the streets, and get involved in unlawful activities; thus, the tournament will keep them engaged.

“This is a serious concern, and we at ‘Do Your Work Promotions’ care about the youth, and we want to bring them together. They will be busy throughout and stay away from those unwanted activities,” he said. 

Despite keeping the youth busy, Katjimune added that the competition is a platform for them to showcase their football talent.

“Our youth lack exposure, and this tournament will provide an opportunity for them to showcase their talent. Who knows, there might be scouts who are looking for players to play in different recognised leagues?” he said. The knockout competition draw is set for Thursday, and the first match is expected to kick off at 07h00 on Friday. 

The competition, which comprises mostly teams from Otjomuise, 8ste Laan, 7de Laan, Goreagab, and Havana, among others, is seen as a battlefield among these suburbs, with the winner bragging as the boss of the local suburbs.  Teams such as Kimbindo FC, Dangerous FC, Super Star, Omarombora Eleven, Spears FC, Real Fighters, Amazon FC, Italy FC, Gam FC, Celtic, Otjomuise Eleven, Bollars FC, Zamalek, False 9 FC, Kapia United, and Tick-Tak FC, among others, are participating.

Katjimune added that each football team registered with N$700, and the champion will take home a trophy, N$5 000, 18 gold medals. “The runners-up will pocket N$2 500 cash, 18 silver medals, whereas each semi-finalist will go home with N$1250 cash,” he said.  The organiser further said he hopes to continue hosting the competition yearly, but a lack of sponsorships remains a challenge. 

Asked about the exclusion of netball in the competition, Katjimune said there was a slow response or interest from ladies’ teams. 

“We wanted to accommodate the ladies, but they showed little interest. Their registration fee was N$300, which is reasonable. We hope that they will join us in future as we care about our sisters too,” he said. Katjimune then called on supporters to come in large numbers and rally behind their teams this Easter weekend at Mokuti Sport Field. 

“The entrance is free, thus you must all come and pack the field in good sportsmanship behaviour,” he said.

Vetjinda Kaura, Omarombora Eleven captain, told the publication that this competition is the starting point for his team’s preparation for the Omaheke Top 8 tournament.  “We are ready, we trained well, and most of our players are eligible to play 90 minutes, considering their fitness level, which is 100 %. Our aim is to win the competition despite all odds,” he said.

Kaura added that the availability of star players like Neymar Tjiramba, Veiue Nganjone and Uanee Katjaimo is an extra boost to the team’s chances of winning the competition.  The competition is expected to end on Monday.  –zngaruka@gmail.com