Zebaldt Ngaruka
The ninth edition of the Omaheke Top 8 football and netball competition organised by the Epukiro Sports Council (ESC) is set to take place on Saturday at the Legare Stadium in Gobabis
Speaking to New Era Sport after the competition’s draw on Wednesday, tournament chairperson Ngatuuane Hange said about 30 football and 29 netball teams will compete in the region’s top clubs’ tournament.
The competition - under the auspices of Namibia Rural Sports Development Federation (NRSDF) - is a platform for first and second divisions and even premier league teams to scout players from.
“This competition serves as a champions’ league for Omaheke region teams, as the best team from the four constituencies in the region assemble in the Omaheke region’s capital,” noted the chairperson.
Hange said an amount of N$36 000 will be up for grabs, in addition to trophies and medals. Football teams will be battling it out for a grand prize of N$26 000, while N$10 000 was allocated to the netball series.
Asked why only four constituencies are participating, the chairperson said Aminuis, Epukiro, Otjombinde and Otjinene are the only constituencies which have registered their players and met the requirements of the Top 8 competition.
“The teams which are playing in this tournament are selected from the annual December competitions from these organised associations. These associations registered their players, and they have records of their players as per NRSDF rules and regulations,” Hange elaborated.
Eiseb Block teams were given special participation leeway due to the geographic location.
“We treat Eiseb Block as the constituency, as all the teams there are organised and do not play in Otjombinde’s tournaments,” continued Hange, who is also the vice president of the ESC.
The winner in the football category will take home a cash prize of N$12 000, in addition to a trophy and 20 gold medals, while the runners-up will pocket N$7 000 and 20 silver medals.
Each semi-finalist will take home N$3 000.
The winner in the netball category will walk away with a trophy plus N$5 000 and 12 gold medals, whereas the amount of N$ 2 500 and 12 silver medals will be given to the runners-up.
Each semi-finalist will be rewarded with N$1 250 for a third-place finish.
In efforts to motivate players, there will be additional prizes for best-performing players in both categories.
“We will award the Young Player of the Tournament, Player of the Tournament, Disciplined Player of the Tournament, and Coach of the Tournament in the netball category while the goalkeeper of the competition, defender and midfielder of the tournament will be awarded in football,” he said.
The top goal scorer and the coach of the tournament in the football category will likewise be honoured.
The ESC’s public relations officer (PRO) Kuveri Tjonga confirmed to New Era Sport that everything is ready in terms of competition organisation.
“I was at Legare Stadium, it is shining. The grass is satisfactory, and the netball court is well-structured to accommodate the games,” he observed.
There will also be a beauty contest on Saturday at the Epako community hall, and each constituency already registered their contestants.