All systems go for Skorpion Zinc tourney

WINDHOEK, 22 AUG  – The organisers of the fifth annual Under-17 Skorpion Zinc Cup say all is set for the start of this year’s youth competition.
Speaking during a media conference at Football House in Windhoek on Wednesday, Namibia Football Association (NFA) Secretary General (SG) Barry Rukoro said preparations had gone well for this year’s edition, which will be held in Grootfontein in the Otjozondjupa Region from Friday until Sunday.
“This is also a new venue for us with excellent facilities. We have not had official national football in Grootfontein. We have done the inspection and the municipality has been very cooperative in terms of bringing the facility to the required standard,” Rukoro said.
The SG said they were looking forward to an exciting competition with entertaining football which will be well supported by the locals as they have been starved of football for a long time.
“The community wants to see football at this level. We will once again have national selectors and the NFA technical director. We are therefore saying come in numbers and witness future Namibian football stars displaying their talents,” he added.
Rukoro further explained that the competition has enabled the NFA to learn valuable lessons along the way which has influenced the selection of national team players.
The SG further explained that the tournament has helped Namibia achieve a gold and bronze medal at the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) tournament over the last three years.
His views were echoed by Nora Minsozi Ndopu, the Corporate Affairs Manager at Skorpion Zinc, who said they are excited that their sponsorship is in line with their Corporate Social Investment (CSI).
“Our CSI says sports development is at the top of the list of our programmes. We are excited for yet another year of a successful football. We hope to see more talent being scouted by the likes of (Ricardo) Mannetti,” she said.
“We also organise life skills opportunities through various speakers who help guide these youngsters to be better citizens,” Minsozi Ndopu.
She called on the public, especially the parents to attend the tournament as a way of encouraging the players to perform well.
Skorpion Zinc sponsors the annual tournament to a tune of N$1.4 million. – NAMPA