At the draw of the event yesterday, the two towns were identified to play host to the first-round matches as part of the NFA's aim to take major football activities to all the regions of the country.

A total of 33 teams will compete in the first round on the weekend of January 14 and 15.

The second round, for which only 16 teams will qualify, will be held on February 17 and 18.

The next round, to which only eight teams will go through, is slated for April 28 and 29, while the quarter-finals have been scheduled for May 26 and 27.

The semi-finals and final will be held on July 1 and 2.

The venues for these rounds have not been determined yet.

The competition will involve premier league teams, four Nationwide First Division teams and 13 Regional Second Division teams.

Yesterday, MTC's Senior Manager for Corporate Services, Albertus 'Papso' Aochamub, said that the organisation of the entire tournament would cost N$1 million, the biggest single investment in the specific competition, which was formerly sponsored by Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL).

The winner will receive a massive N$350 000, the runners-up will walk away with N$130 000, while the semi-final losers will be able to bank N$60 000 each for their efforts.

Awards will also be given to the player of the series, top goal scorer, referee, assistant referee, coach, goalkeeper, team manager, electronic media and print media of the series.

Ramblers are the defending champions, having beaten Black Africa 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after a 2-2 draw in 120 minutes of play.

Meanwhile, Aochamub also added that there is a need for youth football development in the country, as these youngsters will serve as feeders for the national team in its attempt to qualify for the Africa Nations Cup in 2008 and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

He said there should also be an increased effort to bring women's football on par, adding that there is no reason why there cannot be a decently financed and organised national league for them.

NFA president Petrus Tileinge Damaseb praised MTC for their forward-thinking approach, especially by identifying youth development as a long-term effort and not just concentrating on the national team.

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