The IUM Ongwediva Campus is set to host the fifth edition of its annual sports tournament from 22 to 23 August at the Mweshipandeka Sport Field in Ongwediva, Oshana Region.
After three years without sporting activities, the IUM Ongwediva Campus is returning with its fifth annual sports tournament, featuring Football, Netball and Basketball.
The event aims to bring together teams from schools, institutions and organisations in different regions, while also providing an opportunity for players to gain exposure and for coaches to identify talent.
The tournament is supported by the founder and council chair of the International University of Management, Professor David Namwandi, as well as local supporters.
Student Representative Council member for Sport, Culture and Recreation, Lukas Ekandjo, said registration remains open until 20 August, with the draw scheduled for 21 August.
"IUM Ongwediva Campus is hosting a tournament this coming weekend, scheduled for 22 to 23 August. It is going to take place at Mweshipandeka Sport Grounds, the school close to IUM. We are expecting a lot of teams to register. Registration is still open until today, and the deadline for registration is 20 August. The draw will be made on Friday, 21 August, at around six. Make sure you register your teams before the deadline. It is an open tournament, so we are expecting each and every team to register. Universities can register, as well as organisations like FNB teams and other institutions can come and register. Schools that are good in sports, the likes of Haudano, Ongenga and Ongha, can also register. It is an open tournament and everyone can register."
Meanwhile, Head of the Organising Committee Dennis Valombola said this year's tournament will include individual awards in addition to team prizes.
"We are looking at the previous tournament. We did very well and had more teams, but when it came to prizes, we did not acknowledge individual prizes. This time, the tournament is going to be bigger because we are going to acknowledge individual prizes such as Player of the Tournament, Top Goal Scorer, Best Referee, Best Goalkeeper and Best Defender.We are looking at awarding individuals apart from the winning team. That is what can encourage more people to join the tournament. We have also increased the prizes. It was less than N$9,000 for soccer. This year, the prize for soccer is N$9,000."
IUM Sport Club Manager Kataeko Tjiharuka said the tournament is intended to give back to the community and provide local players with opportunities to gain exposure.
"The main aim of this tournament is to give back to the community. When teams come from the local areas, they can register and win trophies, and this money goes straight to the community.As IUM, as a corporation, our responsibility is to make sure that we give back to the community. We really have talent in the north. We just have to make sure that every year we host this tournament so that players get exposed and can also go and play abroad like other players. We just want everyone to come to this tournament. It is going to be a big tournament, so expect a lot from this tournament."
The IUM Annual Sports Tournament will take place at the Mweshipandeka Sport Field in Ongwediva, Oshana Region, with teams from schools, institutions and organisations invited to participate.