Henties braced for football feast

OTIS FINCK The Michael Skini Charity Cup was initiated in 2015 with the purpose of ploughing back into the community of Henties Bay.This year's edition will take place on 27 and 28 October at the Omdel sports stadium.The Arandis-based Sorrento Bucks soccer team are the defending champions. They defeated Usakos Eleven 5-4 on penalties last year, after playing to a 1-1 draw. “The objective of the initiative is to assist vulnerable members such as pensioners living in Henties Bay, by renovating dilapidated houses and planning a year-end dinner annually for them.“School attire is also purchased for learners in need and the school, exam and hostel fees are paid for best-performing learners,” explained Michael Skini, who founded the initiative. He added the competition also serves as a platform to expose hidden football talent and boost the economy of the town. According to Skini, this year's event will be played on a grass pitch and they expect more than 40 teams to compete for the N$30 000 prize pot, with 640 players and an estimated 1 000 spectators expect to attend.The proceedings will be concluded with a music bash and performances by TBoss and Staika, Ou Stakes, Michael !Owos-oab, Ou Mengo, Pule, Ronnie and Lorenda. Jumping castles will be available for the children. A dinner for pensioners and people living with disabilities will also be held on 25 October at the Solitude beach restaurant. “We are faced with a number of challenges, which include having to host the event at one soccer field. We also would like to have more sponsors on board,” Skini said.He added the organisers were looking to identify and enter into negotiations with a corporate partner to sponsor the event, in order to meet the set objectives. “We would also like to ensure subsidised tariffs for the elderly and persons with disabilities with the council and shopping outlets in Henties Bay. Since the town is experiencing a capacity challenge with a frail care centre, we would also like to acquire an erf for the construction of such a centre.” A total of 21 teams competed for N$10 000 during the inaugural tournament, which accommodated the Miss Michael Skini Charity Cup beauty pageant.The event has grown in stature over the past years. A total of 24 teams competed for N$20 000 in 2016 and the event concluded with a music bash.The prize money was increased to N$25 000 and 34 teams competed during the 2017 edition of the tournament. A gala dinner collected financial pledges, while computers, netball attire and school uniforms were also donated.“Most of the financial pledges were, however, not honoured and this defies the objectives of the initiative. “The sponsored items were handed over to Kamwandi Combined School and educational tours for learners at Brandberg Primary School in Uis were also sponsored. “The best academic performer in Khoekhoegowab and best athlete of the year at Elifas Goseb Primary School received trophies,” Skini added.

Henties braced for football feast

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-05

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Henties braced for football feast

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-05

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