Zebaldt Ngaruka 

The late Popina ‘Unokie’ Kasume Open netball and football tournament is set to kick off today at the Khomasdal Stadium in Windhoek.

Kasume died on 4 January 2022 after a short illness in Windhoek.

An amount of N$80 000 has been set aside in honour of the late Kasume, of which N$40 000 is allocated to football while netball will vie for N$20 000.

Speaking to New Era Sport, Ngatuuane Hange, from the competition organisers, said about 20 netball and 28 football teams will participate in the honorary tournament.

The organiser added that, despite paying homage to a fallen netball player, the competition is also aimed at reviving netball competition among rural teams.

He added that the late ‘Unokie’ was a popular player amongst rural netball players as she had played for teams such as Epukiro Renamo Bucks, All Stars, and other teams in the Khomas League, amongst others.

Hange said the winning teams in both the netball and football categories will take home trophies and medals.

Today, football matches will kick off at 19h00 at Khomasdal Stadium with the encounter between two Windhoek-based MPSH’s A teams against Masilingi-Boma FC.

This will be followed by the Truck Team from Windhoek against Epukiro-based Kalkpan, with the last game of the evening featuring Omatjove from Otjombinde against Opuwo-based Hungry Warriors.

Tomorrow, football matches will continue at both Khomasdal and Independence stadiums at 08h00.

According to Hange, the netball matches will start tomorrow at 10h00 at the Khomasdal stadium.

The organiser emphasised that there will be additional prizes for the best performers in various positions in both netball and football categories as motivation for players to give their best.

Hange then called on coaches and scouts from various leagues to be invited to the games to discover some talent from the tournament.

The competition is expected to end on Sunday. - zngaruka@yahoo.com