… Local clubs to take on Africa’s best
WINDHOEK – Namibian Premiership football clubs were thrown another lifeline to compete against the best clubs in international football when the maiden edition of the annual Dr Hage Geingob Soccer Cup was officially launched in Windhoek yesterday.
The new concept, in honour of Dr Hage Geingob’s tireless contribution to the upliftment and development of local sport, particularly football, is the first of its kind on Namibian soil and sees local clubs compete against invited continental champions from neighbouring countries.
As for this year’s edition, South Africa’s Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns are the chosen opponents and will on May 25 regale the Windhoek Independence Stadium to confront one of the local premier league teams to be selected via an SMS voting system.
All Premier league clubs have been urged to encourage their supporters to vote for their favourite team by SMSing the name of the club to 5002, with each SMS costing N$2.00. Voting started yesterday and runs up to the 20th of this month.
In his acceptance speech, Geingob thanked all those who worked to make sure the competition became a reality, saying he hoped the cup competition would live up to expectations and be enjoyed by future generations.
“Many people keep asking questions about my involvement in sport and why I love football so much, while others also think I’m just a mere spectator at stadiums. In fact I was a footballer of note back in the days and played against South African clubs. It’s just unfortunate that I was from the small town of Tsumeb and football was not so publicly advanced in those years. Nevertheless, I have been involved in sport, particularly football for many years now and I think the inaugural Dr Hage Geingob Soccer Cup is a befitting honour,” said the Prime Minister.
By Otniel Hembapu