Oshana given heroes’ welcome

THE Oshana regional team that won The Namibian Newspaper Cup at Keetmanshoop on Monday were given a heroes’ welcome when they returned to the North.

Sam Nekwaya, NFA co-ordinator for the Oshana Regional Football League, and head coach Mathias Iimbondi said they were very impressed with the huge crowds that lined the road between Oshivelo, Ondangwa and Oshakati on Tuesday. Iimbondi told The Namibian that people lined up at Oshivelo, Omutsegwonime, Omuthiya, Onankali, Okatope, Onyaanya, Onathinge, Ondangwa, Ongwediva and Oshakati.Local leaders were also among those on hand to welcome the boys.”People were very happy, clapping hands and ululating all the way, making us feel like heroes,” Iimbondi said.”It was like winning the African Nations Cup or the World Cup even,” he said.Upon their arrival at Oshakati the players went directly to the governor’s offices where they were met by Oshana Governor Klemens Kashuupulwa and many regional and local councillors.”Boys, you make us happy, very happy, that you have won The Namibian Newspaper Cup.Well done boys, we are proud of you and keep up this good work,” Kashuupulwa told the players.He said that was just the official welcome and that a huge celebration would be held for them soon.”We will make you happy and show you that we are proud of your achievement, which is the achievement of the whole Oshana Region,” the Governor said.Kashuupulwa thanked The Namibian for uniting Namibians, especially the youth, from all 13 regions of Namibia.”This is really a very good example The Namibian newspaper is setting for us, and we have to say thank you for that and encourage it to continue with [the tournament],” Kashuupulwa said.The Namibian has learnt that some people have started showering the players with gifts.”I have bought [cellphone] recharge vouchers for some of the boys as a thank you for what they have done,” one Oshakati resident said yesterday.Iimbondi told The Namibian that people lined up at Oshivelo, Omutsegwonime, Omuthiya, Onankali, Okatope, Onyaanya, Onathinge, Ondangwa, Ongwediva and Oshakati.Local leaders were also among those on hand to welcome the boys. “People were very happy, clapping hands and ululating all the way, making us feel like heroes,” Iimbondi said.”It was like winning the African Nations Cup or the World Cup even,” he said.Upon their arrival at Oshakati the players went directly to the governor’s offices where they were met by Oshana Governor Klemens Kashuupulwa and many regional and local councillors.”Boys, you make us happy, very happy, that you have won The Namibian Newspaper Cup.Well done boys, we are proud of you and keep up this good work,” Kashuupulwa told the players.He said that was just the official welcome and that a huge celebration would be held for them soon.”We will make you happy and show you that we are proud of your achievement, which is the achievement of the whole Oshana Region,” the Governor said.Kashuupulwa thanked The Namibian for uniting Namibians, especially the youth, from all 13 regions of Namibia.”This is really a very good example The Namibian newspaper is setting for us, and we have to say thank you for that and encourage it to continue with [the tournament],” Kashuupulwa said.The Namibian has learnt that some people have started showering the players with gifts.”I have bought [cellphone] recharge vouchers for some of the boys as a thank you for what they have done,” one Oshakati resident said yesterday.