Category: Sports

Robber Chanties versus Khaibasen PST Bet preliminary round match will be completed behind closed doors on Wednesday, Kunene Football League officials have confirmed.

League administrator, Bola Nangombe, stated in a statement on Wednesday that the game will determine the region’s champion, to face African Stars in the round 32 of the PST Bet Namibia Football Association (NFA) cup.

Two weeks earlier, Robber Chanties were leading 1-0 at the Etoshapoort stadium in Outjo on a Sunday evening when the game was abandoned in the 68th minute after fans of dissatisfied Khaibasen came onto the pitch in retaliation for the referees’ alleged refereeing errors, bringing the game to an end.

Some of the players were reportedly involved in a fist fight, resulting in the league ‘s administration abandoning the game.

According to Nangombe, the match will now be conducted under severe security conditions, with no fans allowed at the stadium.

‘No fans will be allowed in the stadium. That means the match will be played under t
his strict regulation and supporters are only allowed to be in the radius of 500 meters outside the stadium due to security reasons,’ noted Nangombe.

He also urged the management of both teams to maintain discipline and follow security guidelines in order to prevent embarrassment and bring the names of PST Bet, NFA, and KFL into disrepute.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

OPUWO: Omaheke United and Opuwo-based Extreme Tutorials netball club clinched the football and netball categories of the second edition of the Opuwo Mayoral Cup on Sunday.

The tournament featured 24 football and seven netball teams, with four in the tag-of-war category and six in the Legends football division.

Speaking after the final game on Sunday, Kunene regional governor Maruis Sheya commended the tournament organisers for putting on an exceptional showpiece that went off without a hitch. Such events, he noted are important as they keep the youth together and from engaging in illegal activities while growing grassroots sports.

‘The efforts of the mayor are seen, including the impact on sports is felt on the ground, therefore let’s grow this collectively,’ he noted.

The spectators were treated to an exciting final in the netball category, with two teams from the same unit competing in the final game, where Extreme Tutorials reigned supreme after edging their counterparts Opuwo Extreme Dreamers and walk
ing away with N.dollars 10,000. The runner-up pocketed N.dollars N.dollars 5 000, Opuwo Rebels and NamWater received N.dollars 2 500 each for their efforts as semi-final losers.

The host, Opuwo Town Council (OTC) B-team, won the tag-of-war category, defeating NamWater’s B-team and went away with N.dollars 2 500, while Namwater-B received N.dollars 1000.

The semi-finalists, NamWater A and OTC A, both settled for N.dollars 800.

Ruacana Legends won the legends football category by defeating Onjose Jongua 1-0 in the final, collecting N.dollars 5000; Onjose Jongua Legends got N.dollars 2500; while Opuwo Legends and OTC equally shared N.dollars 2500 as semi-final losers.

The football category witnessed some delightful encounters in the semi-final round, notably the game between Omaheke United and Kunene Namibian Police (NamPol), in which Omaheke won 4-0 on penalties after a goalless draw in normal time.

Opuwo United failed to capitalise on their home advantage, losing to Power Boys in a 4-3 penalty shootout af
ter a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

The final saw the boys from Omaheke dominate play and put the game away in the 70th minute with a magnificent free kick to win the trophy and N.dollars 30 000. Power Boys won N.dollars 15 000 as the runner-up, while Opuwo United and Kunene NamPol lost in the semi-finals to home N.dollars 5 000.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: Namibia’s rider Alex Miller and South Africa’s Lilian Baber were on Saturday crowned champions of the Nedbank Namibia Rock and Rut Cross Country (XC1) championships on Saturday.

Over 140 local and international cyclists competed in the championship held at the IJG Trails in Kleine Kuppe.

The cyclists scored International Cycling Union (UCI) points during the event. The Namibia Cycling Federation (NCF) and Rock and Rut jointly organised the second round of the Nedbank XC series, which comprises five races.

Miller and Barber were on the day in a class of their own dominating their respective categories. Miller finished the seven-round laps of the almost five-kilometre-metre circuit in one hour 28 minutes, and eight seconds (01:28:08).

He was a minute and 33 seconds ahead of fellow Namibian Kevin Lowe, who finished second (01:29:41), while South African rider Michael Foster came third almost three minutes behind Miller in a time of 01:30:50.

Meanwhile, in the elite women’s category Barber dominate
d her field finishing the five laps in a time of 01:20:30 seven minutes ahead of second-placed Zimbabwean rider Stacey Hyslop who completed her race in a time of 01:27:30. The last podium position went to Namibian rider Jean-Marie Mostert, who was eight minutes behind the winner (01:28:58).

In the Junior XCO race, Namibian Junior Men’s Cyclist, Roger Suren, and Junior Women’s Cyclist, Delsia Janse van Vuuren, emerged victorious, after brilliant races at their home circuit.

South African rider Omar Alexander Wilson came second in the junior men’s category in a photo finish with Suren while in the women’s category South African rider Carla Jansen van Vuuren finished second almost two minutes behind the winner.

In an interview with the media after the race, Miller said he had a good time on the track and is looking forward to next week where he will once more attempt to defend his national mountain bike title.

‘This was a good race as we had several international riders which made it exciting. I am now looki
ng forward to the cross-country national champion this coming weekend where I will be trying to defend my national title,’ he said.

Miller, who now rides for South African team Toyota Specialized added that he is looking forward to his European tour after the national championships as he prepares for the upcoming Olympics.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Nigerian youths gaming addiction, especially football betting, has become source of worrisome to many parents, community leaders and others charged with the responsibility of grooming the young people into adulthood.

Nowadays, young Nigerians, on a daily basis, are seen at betting centres placing all kinds of bet on various football matches, sports personalities and sporting activities.

While many do it as a form of fun, others see it as means of putting food on their table.

However, whatever is the reason behind it, many observers say youth addiction to betting should be a source of concern to the society. Among adults, the challenge is betting addiction.

Approximately 66 per cent of Nigerians, according to data, have placed bets on a sporting event at least once in their lives. Online gaming is extremely popular and expanding quickly”, says Betblog.

‘Revenue in (Nigeria’s) Online Sports Betting market is projected to reach US$294.20m in 2024. Revenue is expected to show an annual growth rate of 6.45%,
resulting in a projected market volume of US$402.20m by 2029”, according to Statista

Mr Magnus Ekechukwu, Deputy Director Public Affairs National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) says the commission is against underage participation in any lottery gaming.

Ekechukwu explained that the commission’s rules and law only permits people from 18 years and above to indulge in gaming, adding that the commission is also frowned at gaming addiction among even adults.

‘Our law does not encourage underage game, gaming starts from age 18.

‘The national lottery Act frowns at underage gaming, it’s in our law and the regulations of 2017 as amended and it has always been part of the guidelines given to the operators’, he said.

He said the commission, as part of measures to discourage betting addition and juvenile betting periodically undertakes campaigns in the media to educate the public on betting rules and regulation.

‘The commission conducts checks on betting centres and, the guidelines the operators have directs
them to only attend to people who are 18 years and above in any form of lottery and gaming.

‘Also, the commission has been engaging in media campaigns through jingles against this underage gaming ‘, he said.

On addiction among adults, he said the commission had instructed the operators under what he called ‘Responsible Gaming’, to advise their clients or shut addicts out of their platforms.

‘Addiction comes under what we call ‘Responsible Gaming’, so what we try to do is to direct our operators to also advise their players.

‘If somebody is trying to put a certain amount and have the particular pattern of taking huge money into games very frequently, operators have the responsibility to probably shut the person off the platform.

‘It should also investigate why such people are trying to spend so much on gaming or lottery or betting.

‘So that way, they help to check people who are excessively indulging in betting, so that’s one of the ways to check responsible gaming,’ Ekechukwu said.

According to him, th
ere are sanctions by the commission on violators of rules among lottery operators.

‘There are sanctions from the commission against the operators who violate the rules on underage gaming; it is something that the commission takes very seriously.’

Mr Layi Onafowokan, Managing Director, National Lottery Nigeria, said several factors such as economic hardship, unemployment, social pressures and peer influence, emotional escapism, and lack of awareness could push Nigerians to the act.

On measures to curtail this, Onafowokan said, was dialogue and collaboration with stakeholders, media, regulators, and the public could create a safer and more responsible gaming environment for everyone,

‘It is important to acknowledge that while some Nigerian youths are drawn to betting, not all are addicted to it.

‘As Managing Director of National Lottery Nigeria, I understand the concerns surrounding betting addiction and its potential effects on our younger generation.

‘While National Lottery Nigeria operates ethically an
d responsibly within the legal framework, I believe tackling this challenge requires a collective effort’, he said.

Similarly, Mr Kenneth Pius, Manager BET9ja, said his betting firm was very strict in its operations as it would not in any way, allow persons less than 18 years into the betting premises.

Pius said that allowing young people below 18 years to participate in gaming is against the NLRC’s guiding rules.

‘Based on the order from lottery commission, we don’t allow any child who is not up to 18 into this premises, let alone participating in betting games.’

According to him, the commission officials and even policemen visit their centres periodically to check their activities and ensure compliance to the laws guiding the gaming sector.

On addiction by adults, Kenneth said betting is a choice, adding that it was gamers, adults in particular, should control their appetite towards it.

Mrs Comfort Amah, a parent, explained that it was lack of jobs that pushed most Nigerians into gambling with the hop
e of making quick money.

Amah, nevertheless, advised youths to focus on their education, adding that they have more chances to make money in future after their education.

‘It is a painful thing to me whenever I see these little ones who are supposed to be in school to study and even those who claim they are students hanging around betting premises.

‘They are too young to be desperate for quick money”, she said.

Mr Samuel Ndubisi, another parent, said Nigerians take to gambling due to lack of reasonable things to do or to invest to make money for a living.

‘The main reason is because there’s no job in Nigeria. When there’s no job obviously youths will go into betting because it is like a game where they hope to get money from there.

‘It is a way of living for many youths. When you invest small money like N50 for example and win up to N20, 000, you will be motivated to invest more in it.

‘That`s one of the major reasons they are addicted to it, ‘ she said.

Ndubisi urged the government to intervene by p
roviding better job opportunities and more skills acquisition centres for youths, adding that strict regulation of the industry would minimise addiction among adults.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

WINDHOEK: Namibia’s Brave Five were on Sunday outperformed 10-3 by Egypt in a thrilling game at the 2024 Morocco TotalEnergies Confederation of African Football (CAF) Futsal African Cup of Nations.

Namibia squared up against three-time competition champions Egypt in their second Group B match at the championship and could not match the quality of their opponents.

As in their opening match of the competition, Namibia’s goalkeeper Cee-Jay Van Wyk was once again the star of the show, preventing the Egyptians from finding the back of the net in the opening minutes of the match.

Despite Van Wyk’s best efforts, the three-time champions broke the deadlock after five minutes through Alaa Eissa and they almost found the second goal, but Khaled Abbas smashed a shot straight into the stomach of Van Wyk as the Egyptians were pushing for their second goal.

The resilient Egyptian continued pushing for more goals, with Mohamed Abdelrazak Koki missing a great opportunity to extend their lead.

Despite being under pressur
e, Brave Five’s Nanguel Kamatuka almost found the back of the net, but his efforts were cleared off the line by an Egyptian defender.

The Brave Five levelled matters eight minutes before halftime, courtesy of Reginald Clive Willemse’s stunning finish. Willemse pounced on a loose ball just outside the area to rifle his effort into the roof of the Pharaohs’ net.

Namibia’s celebrations lasted only a minute as the Egyptians found the back of the net once again to take the lead through a goal by Khaled Abdelhalim, who curled a delightful shot past Van Wyk. Abdelhalim celebrations were also short-lived as Rowen Jager equalised for the spirited Namibians.

Brave Five’s captain Ken Salote almost took the lead for his team for the first time in the game but missed the target.

Namibia was then punished on the stroke of halftime for wasting their chances when Mohamed Abdelrazek Koki slotted in Egypt’s third to go into the break with a 3-2 advantage.

The second half saw a more transformed Egypt scoring from all angle
s as they opened the scoring in the first minute of the second half.

Essam Ramadan, Koki, Abdelrahman Moawad, Khaled Abdelhalim, and Mohamed all managed to find the back of the net, leading to a runaway victory for the Egyptians.

Meanwhile, Namibia’s third came through their replacement keeper Ryiena Riya who pulled a goal back in a losing effort.

With the win, Egypt sits at the top of Group B with six points, while Mauritania is in second with three points. Libya Namibia anchor the group, both without a point.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

GOBABIS: The Khomas regional netball team on Monday retained the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, after outclassing Oshana 47-25 at the Legare Stadium in Gobabis.

The win against Oshana has now made Khomas the champions of the netball division, for three consecutive years.

In their final bid for the championship, Khomas through their energetic goal scorer Reze Garbers crushed Oshana with 47 to 25, to once again demonstrate their dominance in the competition against an Oshana team that made it to their first final since the netball category featured in the competition five years ago.

On Monday, morning Khomas led on from the first quarter with 14 points compared to their opponents with 5 and continued leading in the second quarter at 23 – 9. The third quarter saw Khomas once more extending the lead to 32 points while their opponents stood at 15 points.

After being crowned winners Khomas netball team captain Kevian Alcock told Nampa that she was happy with their win in the final and wished Oshana region good
luck for future competitions.

‘It was not easy playing in the final, as some of us were tired from previous games. But the aim from the word go was to win the final, and yes we anticipated playing against Oshana as it was one of the best teams from the other group’, she said.

Oshana captain Hendrina Shikwaya from her side said it was a good opportunity to play in the finals for the first time against the defending champion Khomas region.

‘Although we lost this game it was a great success for our team as we played the final for the first time. We gained exposure and experience during this tournament, particularly against Khomas region which was not an easy team to play against. I wish the girls good luck,’ Shikwaya said.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency