Zebaldt Ngaruka
EPUKIRO – The second edition of senior national team’s goalkeeper Loydt Kazapua’s football and netball competition, will commence tomorrow at 18h00 at Khomasdal stadium in the capital.
Launched last year, the tournament is primarily aimed at developing and promoting young players all over the country. In an interview with New Era Sports yesterday, Kazapua said in giving back to the community, the open tournament will enable young players to expose their talent.
“This will develop players in many ways, as it is competitive. Players from different regions will be assembled and will be connected, which is good for sports development,” he said.
The goalkeeper, who plays for South African Premier Soccer League team Chippa United, is hopeful that the competition will create opportunities for the young players to be noticed by bigger clubs. “We have testimony from these types of competitions, where some fellow national team players got scouted. We have talents in the country, and the more we create platforms like this, the more the doors will open for them to reach the top,” added Kazapua.
Asked about what other areas or aspects of sport he thought of assisting, Kazapua said he plans to have courses where he can bring motivational speakers to motivate upcoming players in the near future.
“The motivational speakers can either be from South Africa or Namibia, but the purpose is all about encouraging and mentoring these young players,” he stated.
He added that he is planning to host the competition in rural areas, which will be one aspect of rural development.
“Despite the sports facilities challenges in rural areas, we have to host events like this to revive our local community participation, and bring change where we can,” emphasised Namibia’s number one. Billa Kandjii, one of the competition organisers, told this publication that close to 30 football and 20 netball teams showed interest in the tournament by Wednesday.
The football teams will vie for N$40 000, and N$10 000 is set aside for netball.
“This is one of the biggest tournaments in
the country. The teams registered well as we only want 30 teams, and we expect a high turnout at Khomasdal stadium,” said Kandjii
He added that the winner in the football category will pocket a cash prize of N$20 000 new kit (gear) in addition to a trophy and 18 gold medal while runners-up will get N$10 000 plus 18 silver medals.
An amount of N$10 000 will be shared equally by the two semi-finalists for their efforts in coming third in the competition.
In netball, the winner will take home N$5 000, a trophy and 15 gold medals, with the runners-up pocketing N$2 500 and 15 silver medals.
Each netball semi-finalist will walk away with a N$1 250 cash prize.
The organiser added that since the Premier League is over, there are no restrictions for top-tier league players. “This is also an opportunity for the young players to rub shoulders with Premier League players and learn a thing or two,” said Kandjii.
The organiser said hunger will not be
entertained at the stadium as they have 10 food
stalls that will sell food to spectators and players alike.
Ireland Boys won the football competition last year, whereas Okauua Rovers clinched victory in the netball battle. The tournament is expected to end on Sunday at 16h00. – zngaruka@yahoo.com