2016-08-24Staff Report 2 Windhoek Erongo Region was yesterday declared host of the 2017 Namibian Newspaper Cup, beating the Zambezi Region in a hotly contested bidding process. This followed the last minute withdrawal of Oshana and Hardap regions. The announcement was made at the Football House by Namibia Football Association (NFA) Director of Competitions, Rodger Kambatuku, after impressive presentations by the two regions’ representatives competition for the honour of hosting the event. Four regions had initially showed interest in hosting the 17th annual edition of the Under-20 football spectacle. Erongo Regional Governor, Cleophas Mutjavikua said Swakopmund’s existing infrastructure makes it ideal for the 2017 Newspaper Cup. Mutjavikua brought with him a delegation of over 30 regional representatives including the mayors of Usakos, Omaruru, Henties Bay, Walvis Bay and host designate town Swakopmund; as well as security chiefs and sports officers. He noted that the political leadership of Erongo was committed to hosting the newspaper cup, as evidenced by their commitment to come for the bidding presentation. It was also unanimously agreed that for the 2018 edition of the Newspaper Cup, no bidding will be done, but the event will be automatically given to Zambezi Region. This decision was made with the view that Zambezi Sports Centre, which does not have floodlights yet, is then expected to be brighter at night comes that time. Governor of Zambezi Region, Lawrence Sampofu noted in his presentation that football is a unifier and that the region had never hosted the tournament before. NFA Secretary-General Barry Rukoro expressed his gratitude to the two regional governors for their active role in the bidding process, saying this shows that the two regions are committed to making the tournament a success. -Nampa 2016-08-24Staff Report 2
