LOCAL betting company PST Bet Namibia was on Friday announced as the new sponsor of the Namibia Football Association (NFA) Cup that returns after a two-year hiatus.
The announcement was made in Windhoek at the PST Bet head offices during a press conference where NFA president Robert Shimooshili expressed gratitude to the betting company for injecting a substantial amount of money into the NFA Cup.
He hailed it as a significant step forward for football development.
The NFA Cup last took place in 2021, with Civics winning it following a 3-2 victory over Mighty Gunners in Swakopund’s Mondesa Stadium.
The tournament will be known as the PST Bet NFA Cup and will feature all men’s and women’s teams in leagues under the NFA jurisdiction.
The sponsorship is worth N$6 million for one year, and its breakdown will be given later.
The details regarding the draw, venues, and other logistics remain undisclosed, with a recent communication from the NFA suggesting that the tournament will kick off this month with preliminary rounds.
The draw for the first round is expected within the coming weeks, with the last 32 matches scheduled for April this year.
“This is a historic moment, signing a partnership with PST Bet and injecting N$6 million. It’s the largest amount we have secured to date since assuming office at the NFA. We thank them for stepping in when we needed support to ensure our local competition succeeds. We’re excited to be associated with them and look forward to growing this relationship. This inclusive sponsorship, covering men’s and women’s leagues alike, underscores their commitment to football’s growth,” Shimoshili said.
Also speaking at the event, newly appointed acting secretary-general Jacky Shipanga praised the association for prioritising women’s football.
“Today marks a historic moment, with a significant injection of prize money. We owe this to our leadership’s vision. This investment will unlock immense potential in football development and opportunities.
Players will have a platform to showcase their talent, bringing them closer to their dreams. This tournament will also benefit the national team, providing a larger pool of players for our coach Collin Benjamin to select from,” Shipanga remarked.
Meanwhile, Steven Hamunyela, the founder of PST Bet, says the success of the just-ended 2023 African Cup of Nations inspired them to look at funding the cup.
“We witnessed the recent success of the Afcon in Ivory Coast, and looking at what football brought to our country made us draw inspiration from there. The tournament added value to the country’s economy; new roads, new hotels, and new airports were built, all of which added value to the sport itself and the country. It would be a good idea if we took sports seriously.”
- mkambukwe@nepc.com.na