With less than three weeks to go before the 22nd edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup in Gobabis, sportsmen and women who took part in the games previously say the competition is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young and upcoming athletes.
The youth sport competition has been spearheaded since inception by The
Namibian Newspaper, supported by the Namibia Football Association and Netball Namibia, with the aim of the competition, to provide a platform for Namibian youth to showcase their skills and capabilities.
The tournament is held for male and female athletes under the age of 20-years, with the
purpose of developing competitive sport among the youth, building fitness and endurance levels, and identifying potential athletes to represent the country in regional and international competitions.
One such product of the competition is professional football player, Petrus Shitembi. Shitembi is one the elite Namibian footballers who has gone on to win the Cosafa Cup and has also represented Namibia twice at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Shitembi said that despite reaching higher ground in football, he credits the cup tournament for giving him the platform to showcase his talent at an early age.
“I am immensely grateful for the opportunity and platform it laid for my career. It brought about so much exposure and certainly placed me in good standing regarding my national team career, from the U/17 through to the senior national team,” he said.
The midfielder who plays for Malaysia Super League club, Kuching City implored those gearing for this year’s competition to be ready while at the same time making sure they are going to work hard and give it their all in every game.
Another notable Namibian footballer who once played in the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup is Erastus Someno. He is currently a sports officer for both the Kavango region and the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service. Someno, who played in the tournament over 20 years ago, donned the green colours of the Kavango region during his footballing days.
He said that the cup has branded him into the player he is today. “I made a name for myself through this competition and saw my first national team (U/20) callup. This was during the 2003 edition hosted in Oshakati. This was a life changing experience that I will never forget in my football career,” said Someno.
He added that representing the Kavango region inspired him to take football seriously, this decision has gone on to rewarded him throughout his career, “I owe it to the Newspaper Cup for making me a soccer player of note,” he said.
Marcel Papama, who currently plays for Botswana based Township Rollers Football Club, stated that the cup opened a lot of doors for him.
“It gave me exposure and I am grateful for that. Competing at this competition showed me how much talent the country has, but with hard work, I was noticed by local scouts and from there the rest is history,” he said.
In addition, the competition also includes netball, which was added five years ago. President of Netball Namibia (NN), Rebekka Goagoses, said the cup has made numerous improvements to the game of netball, and that the competition offers NN an opportunity to impart knowledge to its players and affiliates.
“Our journey of being part of this prestigious event has been a great opportunity to showcase the talents of the girl child through the sport of netball,” she said.
She added that due to their participation, the association has been able to identify immense talent for the U/21 national team, this includes the likes of Loide Kanyolo, Athiel Mbaha and Muhimise Jaepa, who represented the Khomas region, Elizabeth Besser and Usuta Muvangua, from the Erongo region, and Grace Matyayi from the Otjozondjupa region.
Cassius Moete from the Namibian Football Association stated that the primary goal of the tournament is to aid in the development of football in Namibia, with an emphasis on cultivating technical prowess on the pitch.
“We believe in cultivating an environment which fosters growth, where young players can learn valuable life lessons and develop into well-rounded individuals who embody the spirit of fair play. Looking back at the likes of Shitembi and Papama, I still remember when they played in the tournament and how their gameplay has changed incredibly while still retaining the humility and camaraderie a sport person should embody. It’s through this holistic approach that we aim to equip the next generation of stars who will not only excel in the sport, but also contribute positively to their communities,” Moetie said.
Nedbank Namibia Chief Operating Officer, Victor Ashikoto said the bank is cognisant of the positive impact that sport and physical activity has on our society. “As we return as the headline sponsors, our focus is on creating a successful youth-focused event that will bolster the growth of football and netball in Namibia. Coming together and supplementing our efforts with like-minded entities will greatly empower the next generation of athletes,” he said.
The Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup will kick off on 29 March. The final will be played on 1 April 2024 at the Legare Stadium in Gobabis.