Okakarara football club appeals for support
• By Michael Uugwanga
STARTING a football club is easy to do, but to sustain it is the hardest thing especially in a country like Namibia where sponsors are hard to find – these are the exact words of founder of Okakarara Golden Ladies football club, Wilson Nguvauva.
The women’s football team is based in the town of Okakarara in the Otjozondjupa region and is one of the few clubs that will be expected to make its first appearance in the forthcoming Namibia Football Association (NFA) Women’s Super League, even though the launch date is yet to be confirmed.
Speaking to Confidente Sport this week, founder Nguvauva explained why he decided to form a ladies club in his home town, despite the club continuing to struggle in getting local sponsors.
“The aim of forming a women’s team in the town is to develop women football in Okakarara constituency and in the surrounding areas. We currently have 24 players. We do not have any sponsor as we run the club from our own pockets. We train at Okakarara Secondary School at no cost. Not all of our players are based in Okakarara which makes it more difficult, that is why some players could not play in the Super Cup due to distance. We also do not have enough training equipment such as balls, corns and soccer boots,” said Nguvauva.
He alluded that any financial support could help his team achieve greater heights and assist in producing national team players.
“Our target is clear and it is to be in the top eight by the end of the season once the league starts and our top priority are at least to produce six players to various national teams. So far we have only produced one international player in goalkeeper Tjikaa Uamburu who is with the U-20 after we sold her to NUST Babes.”
The club was formed in 2019 and it has already tasted top flight football in the NFA Women Bounce Back Super Cup that was won by Tura Magic.
Okakarara Golden Ladies were paired in group B of the competition alongside V-Power Angels, Ramblers and Namib Daughters but they failed to reach the knockout stage of the competition due to inexperienced players who were all making their first appearance at the highest level.
The other clubs expected to be part of this year’s NFA Women Super League are Galz & Goals, Okahandja Ladies, Rightway, Omaheke Queens, V-Power ladies, Khomas NamPol, Ramblers, Namib Daughters, Okakarara Golden Ladies, UNAM Bokkies, NUST Babes, Girls Football Academy, Tura Magic Ladies and Arrows Ladies.