With the Namibia Football Association (NFA) yet to pronounce itself on the region to host the 24th edition of the newspaper cup, //Kharas is upbeat on dribbling neighbours Hardap in hosting next year’s Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup.
In an exclusive interview with Desert FM recently, //Kharas Regional Football chairman Enrico Blaauw confirmed that the hosting rights for the 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup are being contested between the two regions.
“I can confirm that it is indeed true, and that it’s not the first time we’re in the race against the Hardap region.
“In 2019, we were also in the race against the Hardap region. Unfortunately they won the bid that year,” Blaauw said.
He said both the //Kharas and Hardap regions raced against the current Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup football champions, Kunene, for the 23rd edition of the newspaper cup.
“This year we are again against Hardap, but I tell you one thing when it comes to infrastructure, I think we are properly prepared and I am confident that we will outclass them,” Blaauw said.
The regional football chairman said the //Kharas region boasts four schools with three having proper hostel accommodation.
“It’s only Keetmanshoop Junior Secondary School that does not have a hostel facility, but Suiderlig High School, PK de Villiers Secondary School and JA Nell Government Schools do have hostel facilities.”
Blaauw revealed he has received a letter from the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture saying the school hostels, if fully occupied, could accommodate a combined 1 033 pupils.
“At the moment the hostels are accommodating 365 boys and 377 girls, respectively. Those are some of the documents we submitted at the last bid,” he said.
Blaauw believes there is more than enough space to accommodate the regional teams at Keetmanshoop, and that the ministry recently ordered a tender for the renovation of the school hostels.
“I’m waiting for that letter and for the process to start. What could also count in our favour is Westdene Stadium, which hosted the 2012 newspaper cup.”
Blaauw said the sporting events can be accommodated at Westdene Stadium, since it has two football fields and four netball courts.
As for the support in the region, Blaauw said it has the local political leadership on board.
“I had conversations with the leadership at the regional, local and constituent levels.
“The Keetmanshoop municipality started with the renovation of the B-field at Westdene Stadium. They have also imported grass from South Africa,” he said.
SPORT FIELD UPGRADE IN PROGRESS
The Keetmanshoop municipality has commenced with the much-anticipated upgrade of Westdene Stadium as part of council’s ongoing efforts to enhance sport infrastructure at the town.
The parks division has begun replanting healthy existing grass to specific areas of the field while simultaneously preparing the remaining sections for the planting of newly procured grass seed.
These improvements mark a positive step towards creating a more welcoming and functional space for athletes, sport enthusiasts, and the community at large.
The municipality has announced on Facebook that the council would remain committed to investing in recreational facilities that promote healthy lifestyles and foster community pride.
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