Khomas U/17 tourney launched

WINDHOEK – The Khomas Under-17 football tournament billed from April 27 to 28 in Windhoek was launched yesterday Speaking at the launch, the Namibia Football Association (NFA) technical director, Seth Boois, said the implementation of the under-17 tournament will culminate in a league that will be competed by Khomas Premier League teams, Youth Development Soccer Academies including teams from the surrounding areas.

He said the association is compelled by the International Federation of Football Association (Fifa) to have youth development structures. “This is an important initiative by the NFA in developing Namibian football,” said Boois.He added that the first 16 teams from this tournament will be taken up in the under-17 Youth Development League in the Khomas Region.Boois expressed satisfaction with the Khomas-based Premier League teams for their positive response, adding that teams like Civics, Cymot SKW, Kingsley Ramblers and African Stars have indicated their interest.He is, however, confident that Orlando Pirates, Black Africa and Tigers will respond favourably to this development.Apart from the Premier League teams, the Collin Benjamin Soccer Academy and Mario Soccer Academy have also shown interest, said Boois.Boois was flanked by the representative of the Namibia Football Consortium (NFC), Zebaldt Rijatua, who reiterated the unwavering support of the consortium to the initiative of the NFA’s soccer development programmes.In their contribution towards soccer development, the consortium has earmarked N$500 000 towards the NFA youth development programme, said Rijatua.The NFC representative added that the under-17 Youth Development Tournament serves as a continuation of the NFA’s Technical Department’s efforts to put youth development structures in place.He said the initiative of the NFA, which started with the under-13 tournament in Grootfontein and the recent under-15 tournament in the capital, is a step in the right direction that needs to be supported whole-heartedly.Boois said once the under-17 soccer league is up and running it will be cost effective to the participating teams and, depending on its successes it will be slowly introduced in other regions.Boois introduced a four-member committee who will coordinate the under-17 soccer tournament in conjunction with the NFA Technical office and they are Isak Hamata, Immanuel /Goab Nawaseb, Timo Tjongarero and Jakes Amaning.The committee will also work hand-in-hand with the Namibia School Sports Union (NSSU) which has a greater membership of the age group being target.Meanwhile, Boois said the under-20 age group is catered for by The Namibian Newspaper Cup whereas the under-23 age group are plying their trade in the NFA First and Second divisions which he equally described as youth development structures.Nampa”This is an important initiative by the NFA in developing Namibian football,” said Boois.He added that the first 16 teams from this tournament will be taken up in the under-17 Youth Development League in the Khomas Region.Boois expressed satisfaction with the Khomas-based Premier League teams for their positive response, adding that teams like Civics, Cymot SKW, Kingsley Ramblers and African Stars have indicated their interest.He is, however, confident that Orlando Pirates, Black Africa and Tigers will respond favourably to this development.Apart from the Premier League teams, the Collin Benjamin Soccer Academy and Mario Soccer Academy have also shown interest, said Boois.Boois was flanked by the representative of the Namibia Football Consortium (NFC), Zebaldt Rijatua, who reiterated the unwavering support of the consortium to the initiative of the NFA’s soccer development programmes.In their contribution towards soccer development, the consortium has earmarked N$500 000 towards the NFA youth development programme, said Rijatua.The NFC representative added that the under-17 Youth Development Tournament serves as a continuation of the NFA’s Technical Department’s efforts to put youth development structures in place.He said the initiative of the NFA, which started with the under-13 tournament in Grootfontein and the recent under-15 tournament in the capital, is a step in the right direction that needs to be supported whole-heartedly.Boois said once the under-17 soccer league is up and running it will be cost effective to the participating teams and, depending on its successes it will be slowly introduced in other regions.Boois introduced a four-member committee who will coordinate the under-17 soccer tournament in conjunction with the NFA Technical office and they are Isak Hamata, Immanuel /Goab Nawaseb, Timo Tjongarero and Jakes Amaning.The committee will also work hand-in-hand with the Namibia School Sports Union (NSSU) which has a greater membership of the age group being target.Meanwhile, Boois said the under-20 age group is catered for by The Namibian Newspaper Cup whereas the under-23 age group are plying their trade in the NFA First and Second divisions which he equally described as youth development structures.Nampa