Lüderitz, Namibia—The fourth annual Harders Cup football tournament commenced on a high note this Friday at the Lüderitz football field, featuring 21 teams vying for the substantial prize money of N$420,000. The competition showcases teams from the ||Kharas Second Division League and one from the First Division, with the finals scheduled for Sunday.

According to Namibia Press Agency, tournament organizer Emrico Blaauw shared insights into the initial challenges and the high spirits of the teams. “There was a delay at the start of the tourney as some teams arrived late. We can really see that the teams, the players want to win. We are seeing quality football, even from the teams that are at the bottom of the table in the league—they are performing here, while those at the top are being knocked out,” Blaauw commented.

This year marks the first time the Harders Cup has expanded to include teams from across the region, a significant evolution from its previous editions which only featured local Lüderitz teams. “We should say this is one of the biggest tournaments in the country, when you look at the prize money and we are excited that teams from all over the region can compete and we thank the sponsors for making that possible,” added Blaauw.

The tournament’s financial incentives are considerable, with the winning team set to receive N$200,000 and a floating trophy. The runners-up will earn N$100,000, while the third and fourth place teams will take home N$50,000 and N$30,000, respectively. Additionally, individual accolades such as the top scorer and player of the tournament will each be awarded N$20,000.

The event is not just about football; a music show featuring 13 local musicians is scheduled for Saturday night, adding a cultural flair to the weekend’s festivities.