Zebaldt Ngaruka
OKATUUO – The All Stars football and netball competitions aimed at paying homage to the late Molala Murirua, who contributed immensely to rural sports, will start Saturday at Khomasdal Stadium in the capital.
Murirua, affectionately known as ‘Manager’, passed on in 2021, and the sports community, under the auspices of the Namibia Rural Sports Development Federation (NRSDF), is honouring his contribution to the tournament.
One of the organising committee members, Ikuaterua Zarondo, told New Era Sport that Murirua was a major force behind the success of Ovitoto All Stars in particular.
“Our team won major trophies under NRSDF, and that was under his stewardship and commitment to the rural sport,” Zarondo said.
About 10 football teams and eight
netball teams will compete against each other in the N$40 000 tournament.
“In addition to cash prizes, the winners in their respective categories will receive trophies and medals,” he added.
Zarondo indicated that an amount of N$28 000 was allocated to the football category, while netball teams will battle for N$12 000.
He cautioned that no premier league players will be allowed to participate in this competition.
“This is the time for the upcoming young players to be given a chance to shine and attract the eyes of premier league teams, so they must be given a chance,” he explained.
According to the organiser, the football matches will kick off at 07h00 on Saturday, whereas the ladies’ game will commence at 10h00.The competition draw was done on Wednesday, and Sesfontein will open the tournament proceedings with their encounter against Otjinene All-Stars.
Okotjituuo will face Aminuis in the second fixture, while Opuwo will take on Okakarara in the third match.
Okondjatu will face Epupa, while Epukiro will battle Ovitoto in the match of the weekend.
The netball fixture will see Okondjatu facing Epukiro, while Aminuis will play Otjinene, with Okotjituuo battling Epupa and Ovitoto up against Okakarara.
The tournament is scheduled to
conclude on Sunday.