Staff Reporter
THE Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Dino Ballotti, has officially launched the 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, highlighting the tournament’s role in nurturing young football and netball talent across Namibia.
Governor of the ǁKharas Region, Gaob D. C. Gertze, welcomed the tournament, saying it is an honour for the region to host one of Namibia’s most celebrated youth sporting events. He said the event continues to play an important role in nurturing young talent, promoting unity and strengthening the spirit of sportsmanship among young people.
Photos: Ministry of Education Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture
Established in 2001, the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup has grown into one of the country’s most important youth sporting tournaments. The competition provides talented young football and netball players from all 14 regions with an opportunity to showcase their abilities, while also enabling talent scouts to identify promising athletes for future national teams.
Over the years, the tournament has also contributed to increased local economic activity and improvements in sporting infrastructure in host towns. Its continued success is supported through partnerships between Nedbank Namibia, The Namibian newspaper, Namibia Football Association, Netball Namibia and the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture.
The 2026 tournament will take place in the ǁKharas Region from 3 to 6 April, with matches expected to be hosted in Keetmanshoop. Young athletes from across the country will compete in football and netball while building friendships and showcasing their talents on a national stage.
Group stage fixtures for both the netball and football competitions.
Netball Groups
Group A: Zambezi, Hardap, Omusati, Ohangwena, Erongo, Kunene, ǁKharas
Group B: Oshikoto, Omaheke, Kavango East, Otjozondjupa, Khomas, Oshana, Kavango West
Football Groups
Group A: Kavango East, Hardap, Omaheke, Otjozondjupa
Group B: Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Kavango West, ǁKharas
Group C: Khomas, Erongo, Oshana
Group D: Zambezi, Kunene, Omusati
The group stage matchups are expected to deliver an exciting and competitive tournament as regional teams battle for top honours at the 2026 Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup.
