Stars get awards from academy

THE Mario Stars of Africa Football Academy awarded its best performers for the 2006 season at a ceremony held at Soccer House late last week.

The awards are the first handed out by a football academy in Windhoek. According to the board chairman of the academy, Maria Nailenge, the main aim of the body is to create future players for the domestic, regional and international football arena.He says the children at the academy should strive to don the Brave Warriors jersey one day and his academy aims to be an early-childhood service provider within the existing football structures of Namibia.”The academy has opened its doors to 100 registered players of various age groups, from under-9 until the under-23 level.An open-door policy was applied in the beginning to allow as many interested players as possible.The talent and passion of the players were measured to train them according to their level of development,” he said.He said the players are under the supervision of well-trained coaching staff, who teach the players aspects such as the handling of the ball, passing, dribbling, shooting and various other skills.Nailenge is a Khomas regional development coach with a Fifa coaching licence.As far as the achievements of the academy are concerned, Nailenge said the players form the academy have competed in several tournaments, of which some were organised by the academy.This year, the academy also managed to secure three complete football kits for the players, while coaching clinics were held more regularly.Training sessions are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays.”It is in the best interest of football development that the academy wishes to grow and implement improvements for the development of the academy and the growth of both the game in the country and the individual players,” he said.He said the academy wished to maintain channels of development through the Namibian Football Association (NFA) and Fifa.Last week, the academy named Jonathan Calitz as the sportsmen of the year for the under-11 age group, while Joshua Murphy took the same honours for the under-13 age group.Brian Kooper was the player of the year for the under-15 side, while Saidi Adah scooped the under-17 title for the best player of the year.The most promising player was Jasser Kauaria for the under-15 side, while Tumi Mohammed also received the same award for the under-11 side.Nangula Nafuka, one of the girls at the academy was the most promising player in the under-15 division, while Christiaan Hamwete took the title in the under-17 category.The overall winner for the most disciplined player award was Reya Karuaihe, while the coach of the under-11 side, Mr Bazil, was the best coach of the year.Former Brave Warriors midfielder Lolo Goraseb was the guest speaker at the event.The event was sponsored by Wimpy, which game all the players vouchers, as well as Auas Delta and OTP Sports World.Media institutions and other officials who contributed to the growth and success of the academy received certificates of appreciation.According to the board chairman of the academy, Maria Nailenge, the main aim of the body is to create future players for the domestic, regional and international football arena.He says the children at the academy should strive to don the Brave Warriors jersey one day and his academy aims to be an early-childhood service provider within the existing football structures of Namibia.”The academy has opened its doors to 100 registered players of various age groups, from under-9 until the under-23 level.An open-door policy was applied in the beginning to allow as many interested players as possible.The talent and passion of the players were measured to train them according to their level of development,” he said.He said the players are under the supervision of well-trained coaching staff, who teach the players aspects such as the handling of the ball, passing, dribbling, shooting and various other skills.Nailenge is a Khomas regional development coach with a Fifa coaching licence.As far as the achievements of the academy are concerned, Nailenge said the players form the academy have competed in several tournaments, of which some were organised by the academy.This year, the academy also managed to secure three complete football kits for the players, while coaching clinics were held more regularly.Training sessions are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays.”It is in the best interest of football development that the academy wishes to grow and implement improvements for the development of the academy and the growth of both the game in the country and the individual players,” he said.He said the academy wished to maintain channels of development through the Namibian Football Association (NFA) and Fifa.Last week, the academy named Jonathan Calitz as the sportsmen of the year for the under-11 age group, while Joshua Murphy took the same honours for the under-13 age group.Brian Kooper was the player of the year for the under-15 side, while Saidi Adah scooped the under-17 title for the best player of the year.The most promising player was Jasser Kauaria for the under-15 side, while Tumi Mohammed also received the same award for the under-11 side.Nangula Nafuka, one of the girls at the academy was the most promising player in the under-15 division, while Christiaan Hamwete took the title in the under-17 category.The overall winner for the most disciplined player award was Reya Karuaihe, while the coach of the under-11 side, Mr Bazil, was the best coach of the year.Former Brave Warriors midfielder Lolo Goraseb was the guest speaker at the event.The event was sponsored by Wimpy, which game all the players vouchers, as well as Auas Delta and OTP Sports World.Media institutions and other officials who contributed to the growth and success of the academy received certificates of appreciation.