By Marx Itamalo /
THE state of football in the Ohangwena is well despite limited resources. This is the observation of Oom Kamati, the NFA Ohangwena regional chairperson.
Kamati spoke to this publication when the paper inquired about football development in the region.
“We are doing well despite insufficient resources at our disposal. If you look at the progress of football in the region, one can only get satisfied although we will not stop working hard,” the veteran football administrator said.
According to the Namibia Football Association (NFA) Ohangwena chairperson, the regional football body works with local stakeholders in enhancing football activities in the region.
Amongst the prioritised activities in the region is the hosting of local and community tournaments to discover talent.
“I can tell you that almost every weekend, there are local tournaments here and there in the region where children and youths can showcase their talents.
“We always encourage and support these tournaments because we want to discover future Brave Warriors stars,” he said.
Kamati said that, however, due to lack of resources, they find themselves unable to make monetary contributions in most cases.
“We assist with the provision of NFA accredited officials like referees and assistant referees where possible, more especially, when the tournament involves bigger teams,” he stressed.
He noted that the regional football body has made it a priority to develop and better youth football because by nurturing talent the region can have a larger pool of players to choose from especially when it comes to tournaments like the Namibian Newspaper Cup and representation in junior national football teams.
“The only way to discover talent is when you host local youth tournaments. Ohangwena has many talented football players and they only need to be exposed and nurtured.
“By doing this, I am hopeful and resolute that one day we will have several players representing the region in national football teams and perhaps even playing for top clubs abroad just like Shalulile, Hotto and others,” he stated.
Kamati is further urging the business community in the region to assist the football fraternity by sponsoring football tournaments in the region.
“You get disappointed when you see people organising a football tournament and when they go to businesses to solicit sponsorships doors are shut in their eyes.
“It’s not good and it takes our football development nowhere,” he stressed.
Ohangwena currently has three teams playing in the first division namely Oshikango Chiefs, Further Fighters and Ohangwena Nampol.
The only team from the region playing in the national premier league is Eeshoke Chula Chula.
In the photo: NFA Ohangwena regional chairperson Mr Oom Kamati.
