The annual Queensab Soccer Bonanza is gradually growing into a formidable grassroot development football spectacle, says chief organiser Rhuuksie ‘King’ Engelbrecht.
This year’s Queensab Soccer Bonanza, taking place in Groot Aub, will offer prizes of up to N$50 000, with a registration fee of N$2 500 for interested teams.
Speaking to Desert FM recently, Engelbrecht said they are privileged and thankful to Desert FM for reporting on grassroot sport development tournaments.
“The reason we started this tournament is to have these players at grassroots level have something they can call their own,” he said.
“We made it an open tournament where the upcoming players can mingle, mix up and play against the more established players,” added Engelbrecht.
“During the past editions we had the likes of Willy Stephanus, Uetura Kambato, the Kamberipa brothers and lots of current and former Brave Warriors players playing at this tournament.”
“I am grateful and excited that the tournament has grown in leaps and bounds over the past years. The first edition started with 25 teams, mostly teams from the deep south of the country. However, the average entries that we usually receive is between 32 to 34 teams.”
The highest number of entries recorded in the past is 37 teams during the 2022 edition.
“Without a substantive sponsor, we have managed and we will be called one of the best, if not the best, organised grassroot development tournament,” he said. “Teams come as far as Henties Bay, Karibib and Mariental.”
“When we started this tournament, it was played at a huge open space that we turned into a soccer field. Over the years we have had up to three sport grounds. I am grateful to the City of Windhoek who recently erected a fence around the field.”
Engelbrecht believes the Queensab Soccer Bonanza has brought about a positive impact on the small and medium enterprises at Groot Aub.
He added that seven-seater owners will benefit immensely during this tournament, as well as small businesses like kapana vendors.
The tournament, set to take place from 2 to 3 August, will have the draw conducted at Groot Aub on 1 August.
The winner of the tournament will walk away with N$25 000, with second place pocketing N$12 000 and third place contender taking N$6 250.
There will also be lucky draws: teams travelling over 200km will have a chance to win a soccer kit, while teams travelling less than 100km will be entered into a draw for N$1 000. The last home team remaining in the tournament will receive a new soccer kit.
