By Michael Uugwanga

THE annual Julinho Athletic Club (JAC) Youth Football Tournament, which was held over the past weekend in the capital continues to gives future footballers a platform to showcase their talents, irrespective of their gender and age.

The JAC Youth Football Tournament was first launched in 2017 and ever since its inception the tournament continues to grow and is only for invited academies, from Windhoek, Rosh Pinah and Swakopmund.

The regular invited academies to the tournament are, host JAC, DTS, KFA, Swallows, Ramblers, Quest , SFC, SKW and Windhoek City .
Owner and founder of JAC Ricky Averia, says he is happy to see the growth of the tournament that has seen a big turnout year after year, with the past weekend’s tournament attracted the presence of the Prime Minister Dr Elijah Ngurare, who was among the spectators.

“Our annual tournament has indeed grown exponentially, and it's fantastic to see clubs from various parts of Namibia coming together to participate. Since 2017, the aim of our tournament is to provide a platform for clubs to showcase their skills, foster camaraderie, and promote football development in the region. Without competition, there is no development,” said Averia.
An academy like Swallows, which trains on a sandy gravel ground at Auas Primary School in Katutura has always produced good football on grass, and did compete in the U-7, U-9, U-11 and U-17 categories, with all its age groups reaching the semi-finals in each category.

“Swallows, despite training under difficult circumstances, are holding their own against other academies. It's a testament to their hard work, dedication, and talent. The fact that they can compete with top teams from different backgrounds showcases the depth and potential of Namibian football. It's heartening to see grassroots football thriving, and I'm sure the tournament is an incredible experience for all the players involved,” said Avera.

It is no secret that JAC is the best academy in the country and it was no surprise to see them winning in almost every age group, not only their own JAC Youth Football Tournament but also in the MTC Hopsol Youth League.
“At JAFC, we have focused on building a strong, holistic foundation for our young players, some key factors that contribute to our success are, our coaches are passionate and well-qualified, providing expert guidance and mentorship, We have a comprehensive training program that emphasizes individual development over team success. I believe all the academies are doing well especially with the little resources available. The support of parents has been fantastic,” said Avera.