OPUWO: Oshakati-based North East First Division Stream team Khuse Lions Football Club and Quelle Royals from Opuwo were crowned champions in the football and netball categories of the Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah tournament held at Opuwo.
En route to the final, the inaugural edition tournament held at Opuwo’s Newman Katuta’s stadium at the weekend, saw northern boys defeating Gobabis Boys FC in the semi-finals by a 2-1 scoreline before defeating Okambuku FC in the final by a 5-4 penalty shootout after a one-all draw in regulation time.
Quelle Royals, who lost their opening game of the tournament by a slim 12-10 margin against Kunene NamPol, avenged themselves by thrashing Kunene NamPol by a score of 25 to 11.
Khuse Lions FC took home the trophy and N.dollars 25 000 as football winners. Okambuku won N.dollars 15,000 as runner-up, while Gobabis Boys and Arsenal FC each received N.dollars 5,000 as semi-finalists.
Quelle Royals walked away N.dollars 10,000 and a trophy as netball champions, Kunene NamPol took home N.dollars 5,000 in second place, while the Putuavanga Secondary School netball team and Opuwo Youth team each received N.dollars 2 500 as semi-finalists.
Namwater won the tag-of-war category, taking home N.dollars 2 500, followed by the host Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who won N.dollars 1 000 in a two-horse race.
After edging out Otjozondjupa NamPol, who took home N.dollars 3 000, and Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who took home N.dollars 1 000 in third place, the Rebels Volleyball team walked away with the trophy and N.dollars 5 000.
The themed ‘Youth Revival in Sports,’ drew 32 football, 11 netball, four volleyball, and three tag-of-war teams.
Taunodja Mbinge, one of the tournament organisers, on Monday hailed the tournament a success owing to the teams’ stellar conduct and prompt event management. The organisers intend to have a similar competition next year, he said.
Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah while launching the tournament at the weekend said, such tournaments, including the ongoing Debmarine Namibia Premier Football League, have sparked the concept to prioritise investing in sports infrastructure and allocating resources in order to provide equal access to sports facilities for all young people.
“By doing so, we can foster a culture that encourages and supports the youth in their sports endeavours,” she said.
Source: The Namibia Press Agency