WINDHOEK: The Namibia Premier League (NPL) on Tuesday launched a pre-season tournament, and held a draw for the games set to take place this weekend.The tournament is slated from Friday to Sunday at the Independence Stadium in the capital, and consists of all 12 NPL teams.

NPL Chairman Johny Doeseb said during the launch that the aim of the pre-season tournament is for all 12 teams to ‘test’ players that teams envisage to play this season.Each team must submit the names of 25 players that will take part in the tournament, and only those players will play in the tournament.

Doeseb said the NPL will assist teams with grants, saying teams within Windhoek will get N.dollars 15 000 each, while teams from outside Windhoek will get N.dollars 20 000 each.The winner of the tournament will receive N.dollars 50 000, a trophy and 30 gold medals, while the runners-up will receive N.dollars 20 000 and 30 silver medals.

Members of the public will have to pay N.dollars 30 to watch the tournament.According to the draw, Tigers will play against Rundu Chiefs on Friday at 19h00, while the game between Cymot and Tura Magic will kick off at 21h00.

The tournament will continue on Saturday, with LHU Blue Waters against Mighty Gunners at 10h00, and Eleven Arrows versus Orlando Pirates at 12h00.Civics and African Stars will play against each other at 14h00, while Ramblers and Black Africa will face each other at 16h00.

The quarter-finals are scheduled to start at 20h00 on Saturday, while the semi-finals will take place on Sunday, starting at 10h00.The final will take place on Sunday at 17h00.