The Bank Windhoek ramblers soccer tourney returns with a N$200 000 prize

On Tuesday, 7 May 2024, the Bank Windhoek Ramblers Under 21 Soccer Tournament launched its third edition in Windhoek, which promises to showcase exceptional football talent while creating a stepping stone for players to showcase their skills and earn positions on more prominent platforms.

With an increased Bank Windhoek N$200,000 sponsorship, the event will see 16 teams, comprising eight from Windhoek and another eight from Oshakati, compete for bragging rights. In the past three years, young soccer players who have showcased exceptional talent earned their selection to play for the Namibian National Football Team, also known as The Brave Warriors.

Ramblers, Deutscher Turn und Sportverein (DTS), Athletic Club Football Academy (ACFA), Swallows, Kasaona, Kaizen Football Academy (KFA), Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) and River Heights will kick off the Windhoek edition at 17:30 on Tuesday, 21 May 2024 until Saturday, 25 May 2024, with all matches to be played at Ramblers. With the participating teams still to be finalised, the Oshakati edition will take place on Friday, 21 June and end on Sunday, 23 June 2024, with all matches scheduled to take place at the Oshakati Stadium.

Bank Windhoek’s Head of Stakeholder Engagement, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sponsorships, Bronwyn Moody, said the Bank believes in inclusivity, sport’s transformative value, and contributes to developing skills and talent in Namibia. Moody said Bank Windhoek’s association with soccer transcends sponsorship of a well-loved sport. “Through this collaboration, we seek to build authentic relationships on and off the field. The love we have for this sport, which brings people together to play – and enjoy it – makes us a proud Namibian brand,” she said.

Chairman of Ramblers Soccer Academy, Sedric van Turah, said it has become evident that the tournament has grown in popularity and has cemented its place on the local football calendar. “The exposure these youngsters gain, and the opportunity for talent scouting by Premier League teams in particular, allows for the establishment of possible collaboration between academy and premier league teams,” he said.

Kasaona Football Academy Coach Kasaona Uerikondjera, also known as Coach Mamie, says it is an honour to participate in the tournament once again while reflecting on the team’s victory in 2022, winning first place. “The tournament is intense, and there are many expectations from

other teams. We witness their performance on the field. I am ready and look forward to great action as we take on our opponents,” she said.

Van Turah said the Ramblers team will honour its commitment to Bank Windhoek to host the tournament successfully. He further called upon all community members to come out in full support, as the entrance to both tournament venues in Windhoek and Oshakati is free of charge.

The Bank Windhoek Ramblers Under 21 Soccer Tournament further exposes youth academy players who could not play in the Namibian soccer calendar’s Second Division, First Division, or Premier leagues. To ensure that the prize money is invested back into the team, the top three winning teams will all receive equipment as opposed to actual prize money.