OPUWO – Oshakati based North East First Division Stream football team Khuse Lions Football Club and Quelle Royals from Opuwo were crowned champions in the football and netball categories of the Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah tournament held at Opuwo.
En route to the final of the inaugural edition of the tournament held at Opuwo’s Newman Katuta’s Stadium over the weekend, the northern boys defeated Gobabis Boys FC in the semi-finals by a 2-1 scoreline before defeating Okambuku FC 5-4 on penalties in the final following a one-all draw in regulation time.
After losing their opening game of the tournament against Kunene Nampol by a slim 12-10 scoreline, Quelle Royals redeemed themselves by thrashing Kunene Nampol by a score of 25-11 in the final.
Khuse Lions FC took home the trophy and N$25 000 as football winners. Okambuku won N$15 000 as runner-up, while Gobabis Boys and Arsenal FC each received N$5 000 as semi-finalists.
Quelle Royals walked away with N$10 000 and a trophy as netball champions, while Kunene Nampol took home N$5 000 in second place, and the Putuavanga Secondary School netball team and Opuwo Youth team each received N$2 500 as semi-finalists.
NamWater won the tag-of-war category, taking home N$2 500, followed by the organisers of the tournament, the Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah tug-of-war team, who won N$1 000 in a two-horse race.
After edging out Otjozondjupa Nampol, who took home N$3 000, and Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who took home N$1 000 in third place, the Rebels volleyball team walked away with the trophy and N$5 000.
The themed ‘Youth Revival in Sports’ drew 32 football, 11 netball, four volleyball, and three tug-of-war teams.
Taunodja Mbinge, one of the tournament organisers, on Monday hailed the tournament a success owing to the teams’ stellar conduct and prompt event management. The organisers intend to have a similar competition next year, he said.
While launching the tournament at the weekend, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said that such tournaments, including the ongoing Debmarine Namibia Premier Football League, have sparked the concept of prioritising investing in sports infrastructure and allocating resources in order to provide equal access to sports facilities for all young people.
“By doing so, we can foster a culture that encourages and supports the youth in their sports endeavours,” she said.
– Nampa