The most celebrated football and netball rural tournament under the Namibia Rural Sports Development Federation is set to take place on Saturday and Sunday at the Khomasdal Sports Field in Windhoek.

The tournament, which started more than 20 years ago, has since its onset yielded some great talents that went on to represent the Namibian national team, with some plying their trade in the South African premier league and other leagues across the African continent.

NRSDF executive secretary, Kaiko Kandjou on Thursday told Nampa that the tourney will kick off on Saturday and conclude on Sunday, adding that the federation has been growing exorbitantly and has huge potential in identifying untapped talent at grassroots levels, while ushering in a new era in transforming Namibia football.

The tournament, which has attracted 11 netball and 12 football teams from different rural areas, will see them battle it out for the amount of N.dollars 43 000 of which N.dollars 13 000 is set aside for the netball category.

The winning side for the netball category will walk away with N.dollars 6 000, with the runner-up to pocket N.dollars 4 000 while the semi-final losers will each settle for N.dollars 1 500.

The football champions will pocket N.dollars 14 000, the runner-up will receive N.dollars 8 000 while the semi-final losers will walk away with N.dollars 4 000 each.

Saturday’s netball fixtures will see Kunene-based outfit Epupa All-Stars up against Aminuis from the Omaheke Region in the first match, to be followed by Sesfontein and Okotjituuo while Ovitoto will take on Otjinene All Stars. The girls from Gam will then take on Opuwo in the first quarterfinal game followed by last year’s champions, Epukiro All Stars, while Otjombinde will have to wait between Epupa and Omongua for the last quarterfinal game.

For the football category, Omongua will take on Ovitoto in the first game to be followed by last year’s champions, Okondjatu who will take on the team from Opuwo. Epukiro will play Otjinene in what is known as the Omaheke derby, Sesfontein will be up against Epupa, Otjombinde will play Okamatapati while Gam will take on Okotjituuo.

Kandjou said COVID-19 protocols will be observed.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency