GOBABIS—The first edition of the Omaheke Pst Bet Governor’s Cup concluded with Aminuis Rural securing victories in both the netball and football categories at Gobabis’s Legare Stadium.
According to NAMPA, Aminuis Rural’s netball team narrowly defeated the Epukiro Netball team with a score of 18 to 17 points on Monday morning. Later, the Aminuis football team emerged victorious against the Otjinene football team, winning five to four in penalties after a 0-0 draw during the final match.
Aminuis football team captain Bradley Katjingisiua expressed his enthusiasm for the team’s performance, pointing out that they had won multiple games in the group stages and lost only one, thus earning a top spot. “It was a special tournament hosted by the big office in the region; it is an honor and privilege to win this Governor’s cup,” Katjingisiua said. He also noted the tournament’s broader impact: “This tournament took us off the street, took us away from social ills, and helped a lot in keeping players away from doing unnecessary things.”
On the other hand, Katjiukua Urorua, the team manager of the Otjinene football team, said his team, one of the youngest in the tournament, performed well by reaching the final and vowed to return stronger next time. “I think this tournament should be used to select our under-20 players so that we groom the young ones because some of these people are not taking this tournament seriously,” he indicated.
Erwin Katjizeu, the Otjinene constituency councilor and tournament chairperson, stated that the event brought young people from across the Omaheke region to promote sport and network. “It is a challenge that we do not have enough sports facilities in our region; thus, I am urging not only the government but all other stakeholders within our region to help the region with infrastructure development,” he said.
The Governor’s Cup featured ten teams from seven constituencies in the region, participating in netball and football. The constituencies of Okorukambe, Aminuis, and Gobabis each fielded two teams in the tournament, which was open to players between the ages of 16 and 35.