By Otniel Hemnbapu
WINDHOEK – After witnessing an exciting action-packed opening round of the inaugural Laura McLeod-Katjirua Cup at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek earlier this month, it’s again down to serious business when the football and netball finals gets underway at the Legare Stadium in Gobabis this weekend.
It’s all set, Khomas region will lock horns with the Otjozondjupa region in the football final, while the Erongo region netball team will take to the courts for their final match against Khomas region, in what promises to be a grand finale in the regional tourney.
In her short speech at yesterday’s press briefing, Khomas Regional Governor, Laura McLeod-Katjirua urged local sports lovers to brace themselves for a real football feast, where nothing but thrilling action in both finals will be on the menu.
Besides the two finals, the governor also informed those in attendance that the organising committee have joined forces with various local musicians who will be performing before and after the games.
McLeod-Katjirua conceded that they have decided to bring artists on board because music and sports blend naturally and both share a common interest in uniting people, uplifting communities and inspiring the lives of others.
The competition is set to become an annual event on the Namibian sporting calendar but this year it only featured football and netball teams from four regions, namely, Khomas, Omaheke, Erongo and Otjozongdjupa.
McLeod-Katjirua also indicated that the tournament will in future include more regions, depending on the availability of resources. She added that the aim of the competition is to create more awareness in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) and other social ills currently holding Namibian women down.
The winner of the men’s football category will walk away with N$20 000 and the 2nd placed finishers get N$10 000, while the winner of the netball section is guaranteed N$7 000 and the runners-up take home a consolation N$3 000.
The competition is dedicated to Laura McLeod-Katjirua as a token of appreciation for all the personal sacrifices she made, particularly her activism in the fight for women’s rights and women empowerment.