The much-anticipated Scorpion Zinc under 17 Cup was launched yesterday in Windhoek. The fourth edition of the Scorpion Zinc U/17 Cup was officially launched at the NFA technical centre in Windhoek on Thursday. Matches kicked off this morning and 13 regions will take part in the 2017 cup, with Omusati region having been the defending champions for two consecutive years in 2014 to 2015. Mines and energy minister Obed Kandjoze, applaud Scorpion Zinc for sponsoring the cup since 2013. “I hold in high regard the efforts of your support in sport and youth development such as the Scorpion Zinc U/17 Youth Cup,” Kandjoze said. Scorpion Zinc's General Manager Irvinne Simataa pledged his continued support to the initiative to make it grow even more. “We will continue to invest in in livelihood projects such as the one we've got, because we understand the impact projects such as these ones have got. If you look at what we sponsored from 2013 to round about 2015, we touched the lines of almost 900 youth through this competition,” he added. The president of NFA, Frans Mbidi urged family members of the players to come out in numbers to support the players. “My message to the parents and siblings of these boys who are participating in this competition is that you must go out there to support the boys. Don't sit by the radio and hear the boys. These people need your support,” Mbidi said. Omusati and Khomas regions both received trophies for their previous achievements. Games will be played at the NFA Technical Centre as well as the Sam Nujoma Stadium over the weekend, with the final matches being played on Sunday.