From the Sidelines

THE tournament of the year for Namibia’s up-and-coming football players starts tomorrow at Keetmanshoop and it will be a good reason for football enthusiasts to make their way down south.

Well, not all will be spending their Easter Weekend in the South, but the ones in the surrounding towns and those who want to witness the finest football talent on display in the country, should not miss this one! Four days of football is a relatively long tournament, but it will be great to catch a glimpse of these players in action on any given day when the action unfolds at the Keetmanshoop Showgrounds. The competition involves players from all 13 regions and is two-fold.It firstly gives the under-20 players an opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities.It also gives them the chance to be selected to national teams and top premiership clubs.Apart from the hype and exciting football that is in store at the event, it will be important for the masses to go and watch these games.Firstly, the community of Keetmanshoop should lead from the front by filling up the stadium, as they will be expected to support the host region (Karas).It is common that the home-ground crowd is more vocal than the visitors, but this has been a concerning factor in Namibia generally.Local fans fail to rise to the occasion and go in full support of their teams.Classic examples are the matches of the Brave Warriors, but a supporters’ club has brought in a little difference.It will be a slap in the face for the sponsors and organisers of The Namibian Newspaper Cup if fans fail to make it to the stadium, but most importantly, the fans need to make themselves heard and create the atmosphere that will spur players to play attractive football.A great, violence-free crowd over the four days will just be right ingredient for superb football that awaits the town of Keetmanshoop.Crowd violence will not be tolerated and people should learn that they are being entertained by the players through football, and not by themselves by indulging in fights and alcohol abuse.What will make it possible for even more people to come, is the free entry to the matches, unlike many other competitions where spectators have to pay a minimum of N$10.The tournament has a seven-year history of success and this time, organisers have put in extra efforts to make it a smooth-running affair.A note to the players is that your future starts at this tournament.If you play all-out, but most importantly do the basics right, you can be selected for the Newspaper Cup XI or The Namibian Shadow Team.From there, the sky is the limit.For the referees, the tournament is competitive but is aimed at being played in a friendly manner, so it will just be business as normal, but remember that a mistake can cost a game.Coaches, selectors and football officials will be scouting for fresh talent and the assurance is that it will be in abundance, so look carefully and choose smartly.May the best region win and to all the players, make use of your opportunities in front of goal, otherwise forget about winning it.Kanalelo quits BA Brave Warriors goalkeeper coach Ronnie Kanalelo this week quit Black Africa Football Club, The Namibian Sport confirmed.Kanalelo said that he would not longer be part of Black Africa because he has reached the peak at that level.He said BA was a young team and are already developed to acceptable levels.He said he wants to instead concentrate on the development of players from a younger age.Kanalelo, who guarded the goal in his last match against Mighty Gunners at Oshakati, said he was not pressured to leave the team.He said he will concentrate on doing his job as the goalkeeper coach of the Brave Warriors, but also hinted that he has other plans outside football.The competition involves players from all 13 regions and is two-fold.It firstly gives the under-20 players an opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities.It also gives them the chance to be selected to national teams and top premiership clubs.Apart from the hype and exciting football that is in store at the event, it will be important for the masses to go and watch these games.Firstly, the community of Keetmanshoop should lead from the front by filling up the stadium, as they will be expected to support the host region (Karas).It is common that the home-ground crowd is more vocal than the visitors, but this has been a concerning factor in Namibia generally.Local fans fail to rise to the occasion and go in full support of their teams.Classic examples are the matches of the Brave Warriors, but a supporters’ club has brought in a little difference.It will be a slap in the face for the sponsors and organisers of The Namibian Newspaper Cup if fans fail to make it to the stadium, but most importantly, the fans need to make themselves heard and create the atmosphere that will spur players to play attractive football.A great, violence-free crowd over the four days will just be right ingredient for superb football that awaits the town of Keetmanshoop.Crowd violence will not be tolerated and people should learn that they are being entertained by the players through football, and not by themselves by indulging in fights and alcohol abuse.What will make it possible for even more people to come, is the free entry to the matches, unlike many other competitions where spectators have to pay a minimum of N$10.The tournament has a seven-year history of success and this time, organisers have put in extra efforts to make it a smooth-running affair.A note to the players is that your future starts at this tournament.If you play all-out, but most importantly do the basics right, you can be selected for the Newspaper Cup XI or The Namibian Shadow Team.From there, the sky is the limit.For the referees, the tournament is competitive but is aimed at being played in a friendly manner, so it will just be business as normal, but remember that a mistake can cost a game.Coaches, selectors and football officials will be scouting for fresh talent and the assurance is that it will be in abundance, so look carefully and choose smartly.May the best region win and to all the players, make use of your opportunities in front of goal, otherwise forget about winning it.Kanalelo quits BA Brave Warriors goalkeeper coach Ronnie Kanalelo this week quit Black Africa Football Club, The Namibian Sport confirmed.Kanalelo said that he would not longer be part of Black Africa because he has reached the peak at that level.He said BA was a young team and are already developed to acceptable levels.He said he wants to instead concentrate on the development of players from a younger age.Kanalelo, who guarded the goal in his last match against Mighty Gunners at Oshakati, said he was not pressured to leave the team.He said he will concentrate on doing his job as the goalkeeper coach of the Brave Warriors, but also hinted that he has other plans outside football.