More cash in Newspaper Cup

CHAMPIONS of The Namibian Newspaper Cup will pocket N$16 500 after the event, which is aimed at showcasing the talents of football players from all regions in the country.

It is an increase of N$1 500 from last year for the winners, while the runners-up will receive N$8 250 instead of the N$7 500 they received last year.
On top of their winnings, the new champions will get a brand-new floating trophy and gold medals, while the runners-up will all be in line for silver medals.
The lead sponsor, The Namibian newspaper, whose editor Gwen Lister initiated the competition in 2001, will spend at least N$1 million on the event this year.
The tournament money is given to the winners as an incentive, but the main aim of the event is to showcase the talents of many young players to club and national team coaches.
It is also an honour for the players to compete and see which is the best football-playing region in the country.
National team selectors and domestic club scouts use the tournament to pick up their next young sensations.
Apart from the winners and the runners-up getting money, organisers have also set aside funds for the teams that do well at the event.
The two semi-final losers will each receive N$7 040, while the winners in the losers’ section will go home with N$3 080.
There is also an incentive of N$1 760 for the two finalists in the losers’ section, and awards for individuals.
The organisers will also award a N$1 650 Fair Play Award to the team that has the lowest number of cautions and red cards.
The player, match official, goalkeeper and top goal scorer of the series will each receive N$900.
The Man of the Match in all 18 games at the tournament will receive N$150.
Since its inception the sponsorship for the tournament has grown in leaps and bounds.
In 2001, The Namibian presented a cheque of N$120 000 to the NFA for the inaugural tournament.
In 2002, N$160 000 was pumped into the tournament to make it bigger and better. Omaheke continued their fine form at the tournament and took the trophy again.
They beat Oshikoto in the final while Kavango won the losers’ section by beating Oshana in the final. Omaheke walked away with N$10 000 and Oshikoto with N$6 000. Kavango earned N$2 000 for their sweat while Oshana collected N$1 000.
For the last few years, the tournament was even bigger with more entertainment added to promote a festive mood throughout the four-day soccer bonanza. The ‘Supa Strika’ cartoonists were very popular among the youngsters.
When the tournament went to the biggest support base of The Namibian newspaper (Oshakati) in 2004, the attendance went up to 7 000 people.
Mariental (2005) and Keetmanshoop (2007) were by far the best organised tournaments and the teams did not disappoint with great performances through the four days of pure football.
In 2007, the sponsor pumped in a total of N$660 000 into the tournament with close to N$200 000 for the publicity and advertising campaign.
No competition was held last year because of floods in the Kavango Region where the tournament was supposed to take place. Major construction work at the main stadiums in Windhoek ruled out a last-minute change of venue.
corry@namibian.com.na