Usakos
The mountainous town of Usakos is just what the good doctor ordered for fun seekers, so it’s a good thing the town will host their annual sports tourney, starting tomorrow.
The gathering, jointly sponsored by Areva Namibia and Engen One Stop Usakos Service Station as primary technical and financial sponsors, aims to create a platform for people to market and trade their products and services and to invite and attract potential investors to come and see the untapped potential in Usakos for potential future investment.
A delectable menu of football matches has been placed on offer, with scouts from the Namibian Football Association (NFA) and its affiliates expected to be present to identify talented footballers.
The two-day tourney was officially launched in Usakos on Monday, with Mayor Asser Shuudeni Mwafengeyo assuring event organisers that Usakos Town Council will assist with the logistics, such as adequately preparing the three football fields to be used for the event.
“We are thankful to Areva Namibia and Engen One Stop for coming on board to provide a platform which will benefit our local residents economically. This is one event that we all are and should be looking forward to every year. It puts us on the map.”
Managing director of Engen One Stop Usakos Irene Simeon-Kurtz called on all sport enthusiasts to come out in large numbers and celebrate the sporting bonanza, adding that this year’s event will be more exciting and successful than the inaugural edition in July last year. “We must all stand up for this occasion and celebrate our town. We must own this event, since it belongs to each one of us,” she said.
A delighted Hilifa Mbako, the managing director of Areva Namibia, said his company’s association with the event would continue for many years to come. He said: “Most of you will agree that last year’s event was beyond the expectations of many people. I was here watching most of the games and witnessed that there are highly gifted athletes with the potential to make an earning from football if given a chance.
“This competition will enable them to help themselves, their families and communities socio-economically, as we had seen and heard of such tales happening elsewhere worldwide – hence our decision to do our best and be part of this wonderful event.”
Ingwe enters the jungle
The entire management, playing personnel and supporters of recently crowned MTC Premiership champions Tigers Football Club, will do a trophy parade in Usakos. The newly crowned Namibian champions will also be out to scout for new/raw talent with a view to bringing them on board and also to expand their fan-base.
Other guests of honour at the gathering will include Deputy Minister Engel !Nawatiseb, who is the patron of the event and charismatic NPL chairman Johnny ‘JJD’ Doeseb. Action gets underway tomorrow with several teams out to grill each other in the football and netball disciplines over two-days.
Last year the event attracted 17 teams from as far as Khorixas, Windhoek, Walvis Bay, Groot-Aub, Arandis, Swakopmund, Karibib and, of course, hosts Usakos. Karibib FC are the defending champions after seeing off Maroko Boys FC by a solitary goal in a replay at the Hakhaseb field last year.
The organising committee, in consultation with the sponsors, agreed that Engen One Stop Usakos would be giving additional technical support to this year’s winners with an amount of N$5 000 in kind in an effort to boost their future football prospects.
Lat year Karibib FC fully maximised the additional support by using their winning prize which included fuel and cash – to participate in two other major tourneys in the Erongo Region. They participated in the popular annual Namport Sundowner Cup in Uis and the Micheal Skini Charity Cup (Hentiesbay).
The team then used the surplus of the financial support to purchase training equipment and/or playing gear. Another benefit for this year’s champions is they will not be obliged to pay any registration fees for next year’s event.
The organisers have come with an exciting formula for the tourney with teams from the same towns pitted separately during the first round, unless circumstances dictate otherwise.
In their quest to spice up the competition, the sponsors will give new branded playing gear/kits to each of the two teams contesting the final in the football category.
Prize monies and other incentives have increased significantly for the winners and deserving teams this year, as compared to last year. Prize monies have been doubled for the winners and finalists.
Football – Registration fee is N$900 per team
Winners: N$13 000
Runner-ups: N$6 000
Semifinalists N$2 500 each
Sub Total: N$24 000
Netball – Registration fee is N$350 per team
Winners: N$2 500
Runner-up: N$1 000
Semifinal losers: N$500 each
Sub Total: N$4, 000
Interested teams can contact Naughty at 081-283 0103 or Ulrich at 081-312 8901.