Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service, Agnes Tjongarero, has lauded the Erongo Governor’s Cup, which she said is a platform to groom young sportsmen and women.

According to the minister, starting young enables athletes to acquire as much skills as possible from an earlier age, unlike how the situation was back in the day when sports development started later in an athlete’s life.

Tjongarero said this in an interview with Nampa on the sidelines of the opening of the 7th edition of the cup, which kicked off at Swakopmund on Saturday.

“This means a lot for us as a ministry because the younger they start, the better they become along the road. This is the best thing that could happen for the athletes themselves and also for Namibia as a whole,” she said.

She noted that these types of events also enable the ministry to identify the best talents which can further be nurtured for international platforms.

Erongo Governor, Neville Andre Itope, at the same event said the cup gives an opportunity to athletes to become part of the regional team, which will further compete at regional events such as the Namibian Newspaper Cup.

“Hopefully one of you will also become national players, be it in the Brave Warriors, volleyball and netball. This is the stage we are setting up for you to ensure that you not only become national players but also intentional players,” the governor said.

He emphasised that this year’s event is also aimed at uniting people after the event was put on hold for the past two years due to COVID-19.

The event, which formally only accommodated soccer and netball, has now added the volleyball code, which according to the governor is to further develop the sport in the region.

“After this cup, we are surely hoping that volleyball will be played in all constituencies in our region.”

The cup, which is taking place under the theme ‘Setting the stage of excellence’, is expected to conclude on Monday.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency