The remote village mining town of Uis, in the Erongo region, will never be the same again following the shock grounding of the annual Sundowner football/netball knockout cup tournament. The extremely popular yearly open sporting bonanza has become an integral part of many unofficial sport entities across the length and width of the country.
Football and netball teams from as far afield as Koes, Aroab, Mariental, Keetmanshoop, Kamanjab, Rehoboth, Walvis-Bay, Outjo, Karibib, Usakos, Otavi, Karasburg, Hosea Kutako International Airport, Arandis, Opuwo, Windhoek, Groot-Aub, Kalkfeld and dozens of teams from informal settlements in around various towns would converge in the dusty mining town to stride the pitch, showcasing their god-given talent.
The author has it on good authority that the tournament’s trusted sponsor Namibia Ports Authority (Namport), has pulled out because of the event organizers’ alleged unaccountability. It has since emerged that proceeds collected from the annual popular Namport Sundowner Cup never reached its intended destination.
Disgruntled teams say part of the agreement with the main sponsors was to construct proper recreational facilities in the semi-desert mining town but this did not materialize. It’s incumbent upon local authorities to make damn sure they work hand in glove with event organizers and map out a comprehensive blueprint for such community gatherings. It pains my heart that such a massive community gathering that brought the entire Kunene region to a virtual standstill should be allowed and unchallenged to undertake the path of the dinosaur. Yours truly would like to throw a challenge to the organizers to put shoulder to the wheel and re-invent the “Santana” Cup Extravaganza. Can we imagine the sorry sight of Uis without the “Santana’ Cup? Bring back the sporting bonanza as it formed an integral part of our yearly sporting calendar. Back to you guys.
Bravado ‘Baby Warriors’
Never since the Ricardo Manetti’s Brave Warriors’ historic Cosafa Cup victory in 2015, has yours truly ever been so proud to be Namibian. The boys dished out some HARDEGAT football against fellow debutants Central African Republic in the Caf U/20 Africa Cup of Nations, underway in Mauritania.
What really caught my attention is the arrogance on ball distribution, solid defence, fluid passing, dribbling technique and above all, game management. Let me doff my Korrie for the technical staff, notably James Britz and my homie Jerrah Zimmer for a job well done.
Unlike the misfiring nervy national senior team, the young boys demonstrated a certain measure of football identity playing-wise, showing very little respect if any, towards their opponents. They attacked with purpose and one could clearly see the desire to win in their innocent tiny eyes and body language.
It’s my sincere wish and desire for the technical staff to polish the edges in the final quarter. Our boys must become clinical in front of goal and should strive to finish off opponents when goal-scoring chances present themselves. Without a shadow of doubt, the future certainly looks bright if this crop of players is well taken care of and kept under watch. I rest my case!