Windhoek
The Namibia Football Association (NFA), in conjunction with International Facilities Services (IFS), yesterday launched the inaugural edition of the IFS Development Trust regional second division leagues competition, based in the Omusati, Omaheke and Oshana regions.
During yesterday’s launch at Safari Hotel in the capital, IFS handed over a sponsorship of N$540 000 to assist with the commencement of proceedings in the three regional leagues. The IFS Development Trust sponsorship, with a renewal option to it, will cater for all three regional divisions throughout the current season, with each region getting N$180 000 from the deal.
IFS Namibia Community Development Trustee Anne Shilengudwa said her organisation is excited about their involvement in the beautiful game. “We’ve decided to support the three regions, as we believe football is a major sport in the country and a unifier that transcends racial and economic lines. We operate in the three regions and it was prudent for us to get involved,” she said.
NFA president Frans Mbidi, who commended IFS for coming on board, also reiterated the NFA’s commitment to securing the resources needed for football development: “We will not rest until all second division leagues are able to be sponsored and the call goes out for the three regions to set an example, so that IFS can expand, or other corporate citizens can come to the party as well.”
Deputy Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service Agnes Tjongarero explained the benefits of the IFS sponsorship. “Your sponsorship is not only for football, but the wider society too will be touched. Players have families to feed, players will learn to respect others and to be disciplined at all times and the ministry is very grateful for this historic sponsorship. I can only hope it will be extended to other regions soon,” she said.
Governor of Omaheke Region Festus Ueitele was equally pleased: “This sponsorship comes in handy in terms of our national dream of football development and it continues the steady transformation of football, as well as creates opportunities for many of our young people.”
The sponsorship will cover administration, referees and prize monies. The top six finishers in all three leagues at the end of the 2015/2016 season will each take home handsome prizes, with the winners walking away with N$35 000.
The runners-up will receive N$16 000, while the third and fourth-placed teams will take home N$9 000 and N$4 400 each. The fifth and sixth-placed sides are each guaranteed N$3 300 and N$ 2 200 respectively.