Kavango West governor Sirkka Ausiku led the celebrations of her region’s stunning triumph in The Namibian Newspaper Cup at Nkrurekuru yesterday.
The unfancied Kavango West football team shocked hosts Otjozondjupa 2-0 in a pulsating final match played at Otjiwarongo’s bouncing Paresis Sport Grounds on Monday to secure the coveted title – its first as a separate region.
The then-combined Kavango region won the tournament in 2014.
A colourful welcoming reception took centre stage at Nkurenkuru where the heroic youngsters were swamped by hundreds of adoring compatriots as they paraded the winners’ trophy.
Catching her breath during a brief pause in the rapturous welcoming event for the under-20 football and netball teams, Ausiku heaped praise on their accomplishment.
The netball side managed fourth place, behind bronze medallists Omaheke, second-placed Otjozondjupa and back-to-back champions Khomas.
“I want to thank our boys and girls who are our champions. You are our ambassadors who went to Otjozondjupa and did what we asked you to. Thank you for making us proud,” Ausiku said.
“I also want to thank the technical committee for a job well done. I know it is difficult. Our people are sceptical. Our people doubt each other. Let us start supporting our people,” she said.
Ausiku said the team demonstrated that talent abounds countrywide, emphasising the need for resources to be decentralised.
Her region has makeshift rudimentary sport venues, which makes their victory all the more remarkable, she said.
“To the ministry of sport, on behalf of these players, they have done their part. They have won the competition, which was not easy. They are asking the line ministry to meet them halfway,” Ausiku said.
“They need a proper facility, especially Nkurenkuru. When you see the fields they practise on, you would not expect them to bring this cup here.
“So, we are asking that they meet our young people halfway and do something before we go and defend the cup.”
The governor also lamented the poor support of sport from the business community in her region, saying the Kavango West Newspaper Cup teams were “looked down on” due to their raggedy attire on and off the pitch.
“That is also intimidation to them, because they are not well dressed, and don’t have facilities. We should not allow this.
“Those companies we [the regional council] are giving tenders to must give something back to this community, and that is an instruction from today,” Ausiku said.
On his part, Julius Simbombo, the winning coach said he was about to refuse the offer when he was approached to coach the team. But because of the love and passion he has for the sport, he took up the challenge as his contribution to the region.
“It can be God’s wish that it can only be the only thing I can give to my region, because when Kavango won the cup it was not yet demarcated. Being a coach is a very difficult job because sometimes you might find yourself alone but the only people that can support you is your family,” said Simbombo.
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