Hon. Ballotti Launches 24th Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup

Hon. Ballotti Launches 24th Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup. The 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup was officially launched by Hon. Dino Ballotti, Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC). The event underscores the tournament’s vital role in nurturing young football and netball talent across Namibia.

Speaking at the launch, Hon. Ballotti commended the long-standing partnership between the private sector, the media, and national sports bodies, noting that the collaboration has created meaningful opportunities for youth development through sport. He reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening grassroots initiatives, highlighting that the Newspaper Cup not only identifies future national stars but also promotes healthy lifestyles, community participation, and national unity.

Ballotti encouraged young athletes to remain disciplined and dedicated, stressing that competitions such as the Newspaper Cup can serve as stepping stones toward representing Namibia on the international stage.

Established in 2001, the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup has become one of the country’s most important youth sporting tournaments. It provides a platform for talented football and netball players from all 14 regions to showcase their skills, while offering scouts the opportunity to identify promising athletes for future national teams.

Beyond sport, the tournament has contributed to increased local economic activity and improvements in sporting infrastructure in host towns. Its continued success is sustained through strong partnerships between Nedbank Namibia, The Namibian Newspaper, the Namibia Football Association (NFA), Netball Namibia, and MEIYSAC.

The 2026 edition will take place in the //Kharas Region from 3–6 April 2026, bringing together young athletes from across Namibia to compete in football and netball. Stakeholders at the launch emphasized that the tournament remains a crucial talent identification platform, with many national athletes having begun their sporting journeys through the Newspaper Cup.