Raw talent showcased at regional showpiece

Another exciting edition of the //Kharas Governors Cup concluded with Keetmanshoop Urban winning the netball competition and Oranjemund the soccer competition at the J Stephanus Stadium in Keetmanshoop on Sunday.

The tournament produced 30 action-packed (including both finals) netball and soccer matches with loads of goals. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the governor of the //Kharas Region, Dawid Gertze, warned against divisive tendencies and encouraged the participating players to play fair. 

“Do not play the man but the ball. Sportsmanship is key and should be maintained throughout the tournament. Let sports win, and let us work towards a regional team that will carry the joy and interest of the IIKharas region and make us all proud,” Gertze said.

Netball - Keetmanshoop Urban defeated Oranjemund (27-7) in the final of the netball competition and pocketed N$2000, a floating trophy and gold medals. Oranjemund received N$1000 and silver medals. 

Oranjemund booked their place in the finals with a nail-biting 22–21 victory over Karasburg East, while Keetmanshoop Urban progressed to the finals after a dominant 24–5 victory over Berseba East. 

“We used the tournament to scout for potential and identified 20 players. Trials will be held to select a regional team to represent us at competitions such as the Newspaper Cup,” said Poppie Sekwate, the Regional Technical Director for Netball.  

Sekwate added, “There is still a lot to be done to improve the quality of our netball, which is at an average level. We need umpiring, coaching and technical clinics to level the playing field.” 

Soccer - Oranjemund defeated Keetmanshoop Urban with 1-0 and clinched N$4000, a floating trophy and gold medals. Keetmanshoop Urban pocketed N$2000 and silver medals. 

Joandre “Prince” Motinga scored the winning goal for Oranjemund in the dying minutes of the game.  Oranjemund defeated !Nami#Nus (2-0) and Keetmanshoop defeated Karasburg East (2-1) to secure their spots in the final.  

“The tournament produced top-class soccer with loads of raw talent on display. We will announce a //Kharas regional team with technical members on Friday. The announcement will take place at the office of the governor,” said Emrico Blaauw, the regional chairman of //Kharas Football. 

Catering for players born in 2007, 2008 and 2009, the //Kharas Governors Cup aims to facilitate youth development through sport and has become a trademark of the region. The soccer and netball tournaments both had eight teams from Berseba East, Berseba West, Karasburg East, Karasburg West, Keetmanshoop Urban, Keetmanshoop Rural, Oranjemund and !Nami#Nus competing in two groups.