Ready or not, the time to have fun and fight for honours is already now.
The Paresis Stadium at Otjiwarongo will provide the backdrop for what is expected to be another enthralling long weekend of The Namibian Newspaper Cup action.
Hundreds of talented youngsters, their vociferous supporters and handlers are expected to descend on Otjozondjupa region’s capital for the country’s pre-eminent youth football and netball festival, co-sponsored by Standard Bank Namibia, which starts tomorrow and concludes on Monday.
Speaking to Desert Radio this week, Otjozondjupa region under-20 netball head coach Natasha Goagus said there is pressure on the hosts to succeed, especially because the last time Otjozondjupa hosted the competition, they were crowned champions.
Back then, the tournament only centred around football. Netball was added to the roster four years ago, with Otjozondjupa yet to taste honours.
“As the hosting region, we are under a lot of pressure, but nonetheless the girls are equipped with the necessary skill to deliver. Thanks to teams like the MTC Netball Premier League defending champions Mighty Gunners and Otjozondjupa Nampol, there has been positive support from these teams,” Goagus said.
Otjozondjupa are grouped with 2018 winners Kavango East, Omusati, Kavango West, Hardap and Ohangwena in this year’s competition.
Goagus called on the region’s residents to come out in numbers and support the teams.
“Of the teams, I must say Omusati is a force to be reckoned with. But looking at the friendly matches we had on a daily basis against Mighty Gunners’ second team, we have sharpened our girls and certainly know what to expect from them during the campaign,” an optimistic Goagus said.
Meanwhile, 2019 champions Erongo are looking to reclaim the title from Khomas, who beat them in last year’s final.
Erongo netball coach Emsie Esterhuizen said the team is now much better prepared than last time out, with several of last year’s squad still in the mix.
“We have added new players who will make a good addition and complement the team in our quest to lift the title,” emphasised Esterhuizen.
Getting the team together was a bit of a challenge though, as the representation is evenly spread across the region.
“It was quite a challenge to bring the girls together, but thanks to my assistant who worked tirelessly with the players. I am happy the girls are fit and we have been busy with the combinations and certainly are ready to conquer the title.”
The local organising committee got the thumbs up following a final inspection last week.
“The Paresis Stadium is a multi-faceted complex that will host both the football and netball matches. We went to Otjiwarongo to see if the stadium is up to standard and meets the necessary requirements. One of the inspections was to see if the grass on the pitch has grown, lighting at the stadium is strong and sufficient for the evening matches,” said Namibia Football Association marketing manager Cassius Moetie.
In the football section, ||Kharas also have impressions on topping the podium once again, says head coach Quinton Visagie.
“The boys are without a doubt taking the Newspaper Cup very seriously, as they do not want a repeat of last year. It was unfortunate during the last edition in Oshakati but we been focused and players are mentally and physically ready,” Visagie said.
They prepared for an assault on the title with warm-up matches against ||Kharas second division clubs.
“We are in a tough group with the likes of defending champion Zambezi, host Otjozondjupa and Khomas. It’s a challenge that we have to overcome,” said the ||Kharas coach.
“I am not going to divulge our approach, but we are certainly going to be toe-to-toe against our opponent and match them up in every way possible.”
