WINDHOEK: The MTC Namibia Premier League (NPL) 2012/2013 football season is scheduled to start on 22 September this year.

Cymot Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) Football Club will play their first match in a derby against arch-rivals Ramblers, while Orlando Pirates will lock horns in another derby with traditional foes Black Africa, the champions of the 2011/2012 premiership.

These fixtures were made public on Wednesday during the NPL’s provisional fixtures’ draw conducted at the Namibia Breweries Limited’s Customer Care Centre in Katutura.

Otjiwarongo-based Mighty Gunners will play their first match of the season against the Oshandumbala-based football giants Tigers, while coastal team Eleven Arrows will lock horns with Khomasdal-based Civics.

African Stars play their first match against newly-promoted Rundu Chiefs from the Kavango Region, while Tura Magic, also newly-promoted, will play their first league match against Blue Waters of Walvis Bay.

All venues for the league matches will be confirmed by the NPL’s management at a later stage.

Meanwhile, the provisional fixtures for the 2012/2013 premiership league will be endorsed at the NPL’s Extra-ordinary and Annual General Assembly, slated for 01 September this year in the capital.

The MTC Namibia Premiership League’s budget has increased from N.dollars 7 747 000 during the 2009/2010 season to N.dollars 10 655 000 in the 2011/2012 season, in a space of three seasons.

Most importantly, the direct support to the clubs has increased from N.dollars 300 000 to N.dollars 511 111 for the same period.

The MTC Namibia Premiership League consists of 12 football clubs.