Africa: 'Support Our Girls'

Some of Namibia's most powerful sport officials called on the nation to show its support for the tn Mobile CAF Africa Women Championship which starts at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Saturday.

Addressing a press conference in Windhoek yesterday, Minister of Sport Jerry Ekandjo called on Namibians to support the championships, adding that it would transform Namibia.

"Football is the most powerful sport in the world that can unify a nation and people from a diverse range of nations will meet here in Namibia just through football. I'm convinced that the Africa Women Championship will transform Namibia in many ways. The legacy that it will leave behind will be more than the millions of dollars that the government has already invested in the tournament," he said.

"I invite all Namibians to flock in numbers to the stadiums to support our girls. Come and witness the best female players on the continent," he added.

Ekandjo said the local organising committee had worked around the clock to be ready for the 'biggest soccer event yet to be staged in Namibia.'

He confidently predicted that Namibia would finish among the top three nations and qualify for the 2015 World Cup in Canada.

"There are only three spots up for grabs for the 2015 World Cup. Namibia has home advantage and will definitely qualify, so it's up to the others to see who will take the remaining two spots," he said.

The Director of Sport Dr Vetumbuavi Veii called on Namibians to show their support.

"We want to fill our stadiums so that we can give moral support to our girls and show the world that Namibia can host an event of this magnitude," he said.

The chairperson of the Namibia Sport Commission Vivienne Katjioungua also called for the nation's support.

"I want to appeal to the nation to support the Brave Gladiators because it is our team and they are representing us on home soil. Please support them whenever they play but also support the tournament as a whole," she said.

"There are only four days left to the official opening ceremony and we have already started welcoming our international guests. I call on all our sport codes affiliated to the NSC and the umbrella bodies to come out in numbers and support the tournament," she added.

The president of the Namibia Football Association, John Muinjo said he was confident that Namibia would host a successful tournament.

"The talking is over and now the moment of truth is here, but I'm confident that Namibia is ready to organise a very successful tournament. The Brave Gladiators need your support - without it they cannot perform, so I urge all Namibians to show their support. I also think Gender Based Violence will be minimised if people flock to the stadiums to come and watch the soccer," he said.

Six of the eight competing nations are already in Namibia, while Zambia will arrive today and Nigeria later this week.

The opening ceremony takes place at 15h00 at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Saturday and will last about an hour before the opening match between Namibia and Zambia starts at 17h00.

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