Chinese builders fuel youth soccer dreams

WINDHOEK, Namibia — Cheers filled Windhoek's Independence Stadium on Sunday as Chinese businesses helped bring students from six institutions together for the first edition of the Khomas inter-tertiary solidarity soccer tournament.

Before kickoff, Namibian students from Yuan Jue Private School entertained players and guests with a display of traditional Chinese kung fu. Their deft footwork, powerful kicks and impressive sparring routines drew cheers and applause from the audience, lifting spirits ahead of the competition.

Organized by the China Railway Seventh Group Namibia, the Tertiary Institutes Sports Association of Namibia and the Association of Chinese Enterprises in Namibia, the one-day tournament brought together teams from Triumphant College, the International University of Management, the University of Namibia, or UNAM, the Namibia University of Science and Technology, and some training centers.

The competition culminated in a hard-fought final between UNAM and the Gobabis Vocational Training Centre, with Sakeus Iita scoring the only goal to secure the university's victory and the inaugural trophy.

"I feel happy. It's a good moment," Iita said, crediting the win to his team's collective effort.

For him, the value of the tournament extended beyond the result. He welcomed the sponsorship, saying campus competitions could help students improve their skills.

That link between soccer and opportunity was also central to the message delivered by Irvine Ndjavera, deputy director for school sport development at Namibia's Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture. Speaking before kickoff, Ndjavera said friendship between Namibia and China was built through infrastructure cooperation, but also "through people, through the youth and through sports".

Khomas Governor Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma welcomed the organizers' commitment to opening doors for engineering and technical students through practical training and structured internships.

After the final, jubilant UNAM players eagerly drew Chinese staff volunteers from China Railway Seventh Group Namibia into group photos, saying, "We want to preserve this precious memory."

For Iita and his fellow students, that would mean another chance to compete, develop skills and take their soccer ambitions beyond campus.

XINHUA