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An avalanche of sports at Ongwediva

• 2 Days Ago 15 May 2025

The northern part of the country is set to come alive this weekend as the Gabriel Taapopi Secondary School tournament begins at Ongwediva on Friday.

The event – open to all schools across the country – will see teams battling it out in chess, basketball, volleyball, netball and football for both genders.

“The tournament aims to unite all sport lovers, to showcase talents, groom the Namibian child to reach greater heights in sports and to raise funds for the development of the school.

“This year event is being organised by Gabriel Taapopi Secondary School in collaboration with Kashipu Investment CC, and its patron is Benson Shilongo, a former student and Brave Warriors football player,” Sandro Ithana of Kashipu Investment said.

The tournament launch was held at Gabriel Taapopi Secondary School this week, with representatives from the Ongwediva Town Council led by Ottilie Shingenge who serve as the public relations officer.

Sponsors, media representatives, a northern sport representative, former teachers and students, the current principal, school board members, and Gabriel Taapopi teachers and students were also in attendance.

Star performer

The tournament patron Benson Shilongo (32), a national footballer who has had a successful club career with Egyptian giants Ismaily, was the main speaker at the launch of the competition his former school is hosting.

“It is a great honour being the schools ambassador for this year. I have always carried myself with humility and this really is a massive opportunity to represent the school at this prestige tournament,” Shilongo remarked.

Shilongo said in his early years at school, a mere grade 8 learner, he just wanted to play football.

On the day of the trials he was turned down at the schools gates by one of a senior learner at the school who was worried he could get hurt as he was still rather young.

The following year he came back with renewed energy to lead the school’s frontline and won many accolades with the school that year.

Behind the scenes

A former student at Gabriel Taapopi Secondary, Sandro Ithana who is a current school board member and tournament organiser made a commitment to continue helping to organise the event for the next three years, until 2028.

Energy 100 FM, Omulunga Radio, Alv Consulting Engineers, Omkwana Caterer, Okapya Liner Transport, Traverse Marketing and Advertising CC, Northern Ambulance, Kashipu Investment CC, Okatololi Trading, Dssk Investment CC, L. Lenza Institute of Education, Nashilundo Ndamononghenda, and Coca-Cola are among the sponsors of this year’s competition.

The registration for football is N$1000 per team, with the winning team receiving N$5500 and a floating trophy plus 18 gold medals.

The second place finishers take home N$3500 and silver medals while third and fourth place teams get N$1500 for their efforts.

The girls teams register for N$800, with the winners getting N$3000 and a floating trophy plus 19 gold medals.

The team that loses in the final will claim N$2000, while the third place finishers will be compensated with N$1500.

Volleyball registration is N$700, with N$2000 reserved for the winners, who will also receive a floating trophy and 10 gold medals.

The runners-up in the volleyball category takes home N$1400 , while N$1000 awaits the bronze medalists.

The chess tournament has a N$4000 registration fee and prizes that will be revealed during the draw.

“The draw is scheduled for 16 May (Friday) at 21:30 at the school’s mini hall.

“There will also be be a crowning of Miss Gabriel Taapopi Annual Tournament 2025 to be held at the school hall on Saturday, with performance by Yeezir support by local talent from the school.

“Exhibitor stalls are available for N$ 1000,” Ithana noted.

Other event details:

Basketball registration: N$500. First place: N$1300, floating trophy and 10 gold medals. Second place: N$950 and silver medals. Third place: N$700 and 10 bronze medals.

Chess, player of the tournament: N$300.

Football, top goalscorer: N$500. Player of the match: N$150. Player of the tournament: N$500.

Overall player of the tournament: N$500.