Netball looks to the future

LIMBA MUPETAMI

WINDHOEK



Netball Namibia's Rebekka /Goagoses says fans can expect an explosive MTC Netball League in March next year.

But, before that can happen, they will have to organise playoff matches to complete the list of 12 teams to compete in the league.

Six teams from Erongo, Otjozondjupa and Khomas have already qualified by virtue of completing their respective leagues in 2019.



Whopping injection

Netball has over the years received peanuts in sponsorship, with various leagues having survived by a mere thread. However, this league is made possible through a whopping N$4.2 million, three-year sponsorship from the telecommunications giant to help professionalise netball in the country as well as to amplify the overall development of the game countrywide.



Joining the bunch

Another sports code that has competitions lined up with the sponsorship injection from MTC is football, which received N$19.8 million, of which the Dr Hage Geingob Cup will receive N$1.6 million annually, while N$500 000 goes to the Hopsol Youth Soccer League.

The MTC Namibia Football Association Cup will become the biggest local football competition, with a sponsorship of N$4.5 million annually. The association is in the process of putting together clubs to sign up.

The national hockey teams received N$1 million per year, which translates to N$3 million over three years, allowing teams to prepare adequately for their upcoming international competitions. Lined up is the Namibia Youth Games as well, they scored N$5.4 million over the three years.

The Namibia Horse Racing Association received N$1.5 million, while the Namibia Rugby Union received N$2.7 million for the 'Get into Rugby' programme.

Boxing received about N$18 million over three years to be shared between the MTC Nestor Sunshine and Salute Boxing Academies as well as the MTC Kilimanjaro Boxing Club. Sunshine has scheduled a boxing bonanza called 'Together as One Boxing' Bonanza for November.