NFA gives 1 000 balls to primary schools

THE Namibia Football Association (NFA) will distribute over 1 000 soccer balls to 130 primary schools countrywide as part of its plan to popularise the game in the country.

NFA acting Secretary General Barry Rukoro yesterday announced that Fifa and Uefa had donated 1 500 soccer balls to the association, which will distributed to primary schools in all the regions soon. Rukoro said Fifa donated 500 balls to the association, while Uefa gave a further 1 000.The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and received thousands of balls from Uefa to distribute among all its member associations in Africa.Each association received 1 000 balls from CAF through Uefa and will now be distributed to schools in an effort to increase the popularity of football among young children.The under-17 Regional Development Leagues will be the biggest beneficiaries, as they will receive 260 balls in total, while football academies will be given 150 balls.Rukoro said women’s football, which has picked up drastically in the country, will receive 45 balls, while the office of the technical director, Seth Boois, the NFA acting secretary’s office and the Namibia Schools Sports Union (NSSU ) will receive 50 balls each.Regional development coaches will be provided with 195 balls, while the primary schools that have been identified will each receive five balls.Rukoro said the balls will be transported to the schools free of charge, courtesy of Parcel Force, which has an arrangement with the association.The NSSU’s chairman for the football section, Timo Tjongarero, whose team was responsible for identifying the different schools, said he was glad that the NFA was helping the youngsters to hone their skills while still young by providing soccer balls.”We want them to become better footballers and citizens of the country,” he said.Rukoro said Fifa donated 500 balls to the association, while Uefa gave a further 1 000.The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and received thousands of balls from Uefa to distribute among all its member associations in Africa.Each association received 1 000 balls from CAF through Uefa and will now be distributed to schools in an effort to increase the popularity of football among young children.The under-17 Regional Development Leagues will be the biggest beneficiaries, as they will receive 260 balls in total, while football academies will be given 150 balls.Rukoro said women’s football, which has picked up drastically in the country, will receive 45 balls, while the office of the technical director, Seth Boois, the NFA acting secretary’s office and the Namibia Schools Sports Union (NSSU ) will receive 50 balls each.Regional development coaches will be provided with 195 balls, while the primary schools that have been identified will each receive five balls.Rukoro said the balls will be transported to the schools free of charge, courtesy of Parcel Force, which has an arrangement with the association.The NSSU’s chairman for the football section, Timo Tjongarero, whose team was responsible for identifying the different schools, said he was glad that the NFA was helping the youngsters to hone their skills while still young by providing soccer balls.”We want them to become better footballers and citizens of the country,” he said.