On Wednesday, 6 April 2022, Bank Windhoek's Head of Corporate Social Investment, Sponsorships, and Events, Bronwyn Moody, announced the launch of the Bank Windhoek Rambler's Under 21 Soccer Tournament. Moody said this at a press conference hosted at the Ramblers Sports Ground in Windhoek.
With a sponsorship of N$145 000, the inaugural Bank Windhoek Rambler's Under 21 Soccer Tournament will take place on Friday, 22 April, and Saturday, 30 April 2022. The eight participating teams are Ramblers, Athletic Club Football Academy, Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW), Deutscher Turn und Sportverein (DTS), Fortis, Kaizen Football Academy, Swallows and Kasaona.
Moody said that the Bank believes in giving back to the communities in which it operates. “This tournament captured our imagination because of the specific age groups," she said. “Upon further market research, we realised a lack of development soccer opportunities for this particular group to develop their skills. We hope that this tournament would be a platform upon which they can develop their skills and prepare for the next level of soccer".
As connectors of positive change, and Namibia's only 100 percent Namibian bank, Moody added that Bank Windhoek believes in inclusivity, recognising team effort, and the power of team sport. “Soccer has always had a compelling following in Namibia. We are proud to contribute to cohesion, community, and society," she said.
The Chairperson of the Ramblers Soccer Club, Sedric van Turah shared that the Tournament will give further exposure to youth academy players who would not be able to play in the Second Division, First Division, or Premier leagues of the Namibian soccer calendar. “At Ramblers, we deem it our Social Responsibility to offer activities at our premises to allow these young adults to continue playing the sport they love."
Van Turah said that while this year's event will be in the format of a tournament from 2023, it is possible to run it on a league basis once the necessary arrangements are in place. Moody congratulated Ramblers and wished the best to the participating teams and supporters. “Play the game you love, support each other, and enjoy the time you will be spending together," she said.
