Coca-Cola on Tuesday handed over awards to Namibian sports journalists for the coverage of its 2019 Copa Coca-Cola under-15 football tournament.
The awards were aimed at recognising journalists who excelled in reporting on the tournament in the categories of print, digital, photography, video, and audio.
In the print media category, Maurice Kambokwe won first place, John Tuerijama in second place and Limba Mupetaimi won third place.
Aili Iilonga won the online sports journalist category, while Kavii Vezemburuka won the broadcast journalist.
Winners were awarded certificates and an undisclosed amount of money.
Handing over the awards, Coca-Cola Brand Manager for Namibia and Botswana, Theresia Nando, said it has been proven that the media awards for COPA Coca-Cola, which is a grassroots football tournament, assisted journalist to participate in identifying, nurturing and rewarding the best in young footballing talent.
“Your efforts have the power to change the world to inspire and unite people,” she said.
An initiative of the Namibia School Sports Union, the tournament was launched in May this year to nature and identify soccer talent at grassroots levels.
14 teams, representing the 14 regions in the country took part in the tournament which saw Ongwediva Junior Secondary School being crowned winners in August after beating A. Shipena Secondary School by 1-0 in the final.
In Africa, the tournament is played in 22 countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Angola, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Botswana, Rwanda, Congo Swaziland, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Burundi.