Uakutura Kambaekua

OPUWO – Over the years, Opuwo has faced significant under-representation and limited opportunities in football for young people, making the Kunene region’s capital the only town without a football foundation structure out of all seven constituencies.

Despite several efforts to improve the situation, football remained dominated by older boys and girls until last year, when football enthusiasts from Opuwo decided to establish a platform to help young people fulfill their football potential.

The Opuwo Football Academy is a non-profit amateur sports organisation founded in 2023 to help young aspiring football stars reach their full potential, while also developing into responsible citizens with an education to fall back on if they are unable to pursue football as a full-time career.

“We felt that this would be an excellent opportunity to expose our people to the world of football at a young age, and to reveal their latent potential,” Jeura Tjauira, the academy’s chairperson said in an interview.

Players aged nine and above are scouted in and around Opuwo with their parents’ permission. So far, the academy has 67 boys aged nine to 15 participating.

“We created a consent letter that parents signed, while equally stretching our communication methods through the Opuwo Football Academy Facebook and Instagram pages,” Tjauira said.

Young boys from schools such as Opuwo Primary School, Okondaune and Otuzemba Primary have already joined the academy after being spotted at school tournaments and casual games.

“We have very few Kunene players in the Premier League or the national squad. This inspired us to begin developing a football home. The effort is for and by our people.”

Tjauira added they believe they can also get a Deon Hotto from Opuwo.

The football academy further provides boys and girls with opportunities to pursue a sports profession.

“The academy will assist in exposing trained and talented football players to national and worldwide markets. In general, the focus has been primarily on adults, neglecting the youth, so the goal is for talent to be identified and developed at a young age,” he remarked.

The boys are currently coached by Marco Torres Ruundu, a former Orlando Pirates, Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW), Rundu Chiefs, and Julinho Sporting player, who, according to Tjauira, has proven to be the best candidate for the job due to his experience in the Namibian Premier League.

To further improve their football potential and prepare them for the challenges of contemporary daily life and professional football, players receive lifeskills education as well as professional training from former professional players.

Those who are unable to create a career out of the beautiful game can seek their intended vocations in other areas after completing their schooling.

The academy’s U/13 and U/15 players left Opuwo for the first time last month to compete in the annual Ramblers Youth Tournament, which Tjauira described as a stepping stone for the young players.

He said the opportunity to compete in one of the country’s largest youth football competitions, as well as the range and depth of participation, solidified the tournament’s status as a prime platform for developing young talent and encouraging sportsmanship.

For young lads who had never set foot on a grass turf in their lives, the players did themselves justice by showcasing their talents, leaving many tongues wagging after putting up a fight against Windhoek’s strong forces during the Ramblers Football Academy Youth Tournament on 28 July 2024, where they managed to come back with three points apiece out of a possible nine. The Under-13s fell 2-0 to River Heights in their first match before defeating holders Ramblers 4-0 and then receiving a beating of the same result from Khomas Football Academy.

The U/15s were defeated 2-0 by Gymnasium in their first encounter. They overcame Dama 2-1 before losing to SKW 2-0.

The young players are now preparing for the Otjiwarongo Sports Academy Youth Cup, which will be held next week at Otjiwarongo’s Paresis Park.

The club has received short-term financial aid from the Irish Dads and Lads group, chaired by Kevin Hogan.

Hogan, along with group members David and Shane Kyne, Kevin and Daniel Hogan, David and Patrick Hanley, Rob and Fin Ranking, Brian and Fin Dalton, Robert and Robert Junior Prestage, and Robert and Jack McGovern, provided financial support to the academy.

The club’s rapid growth has, however, left it in need of adequate training facilities and sports equipment like balls, cones, and goalposts.

Tjauira said, adequate financial aid can help the club achieve its objectives and potential, while also offering a permanent platform for young people to accomplish their dreams.

“In the long run, the academy would prefer to be officially sponsored. 

We invite all companies and individuals to join us in revealing Opuwo’s latent talents,” he stated.

The academy’s dedicated personnel comprise Tjauira as chairperson, Natasha Antonio as the academy’s operations, planning and administration supervisor, and Uatjavi Felecia Uarije as secretary.

Jarekareka You-Tjakuva serves as the academy’s technical director, while Ruundu serves as the head coach. Ashard Hamukwaya is his deputy. 

-Nampa