Windhoek: The second edition of the Onhanadi Annual Villages and Legends Cup was officially launched on Saturday, with organisers calling on businesses, community members, and leaders to support the growing football tournament ahead of its October kick-off. The tournament, set for 03 to 05 October 2026, was officially launched at Endola in the Endola Constituency of the Ohangwena Region.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the tournament was officially launched by Endola Constituency Councillor Julius Nghiilwamo, who described the tournament as more than a sporting event, highlighting its role in promoting community participation, youth empowerment, and local economic development. He emphasized that activities such as youth and legends football competitions, tug of war, and vending stalls create opportunities for businesses while strengthening social cohesion. Nghiilwamo encouraged participants to compete with fairness and sportsmanship, and he urged spectators to support local vendors.
Tournament chairperson Reinhold Tangeni stated that the event marks the beginning of another chapter for an initiative aimed at using football to unite communities and provide positive recreational opportunities for young people. Tangeni explained that the tournament was established in 2025 after recognizing that many young people had limited recreational activities following the end of most regional football competitions. He noted that during the October holiday, many young people spent their weekends in bars and other social gatherings, prompting the need to create a community football tournament exclusively for village teams to promote unity and provide a healthy alternative through sport.
The inaugural tournament attracted 21 village teams and large crowds, demonstrating strong community support and confirming its potential to become an annual event. Building on that success, this year's competition has expanded to include a Legends Cup alongside the village tournament and to create business opportunities for local entrepreneurs. Tangeni emphasized that the tournament is not only about winning trophies but also about unity, youth empowerment, celebrating football legends, promoting healthy lifestyles, creating opportunities for local businesses, and strengthening relationships among villages and traditional leaders.
Tangeni appealed to stakeholders to assist with preparing an additional football field needed to accommodate the expanded tournament, noting that land had already been made available by the headman of Onhanadi village.