Windhoek-The Skorpion Zinc under 17 football tournament was officially launched at Football House in Windhoek on Tuesday. The under-17 tournament was launched in the capital today. At the occasion, Minister of Sport Erastus Uutoni expressed his gratitude towards Skorpion Zinc for once again committing themselves with an investment in Sport. “As the Ministry task with Sport we are in full support, and encourage efforts to build and achieve a socially cohesive Namibia, through sport, the Skorpion Zinc U/17 championship is an opportune event for all participating teams to learn from each other and build lasting relations, through sharing of ideas and unity in participation, and because of this we urge them to take full advantage of this opportunity and use it to develop their skills, both on and off the field” said Uutoni. The 2018 tournament will be held in Grootfontein this year and is sponsored with an amount of 1.4 Million Namibia dollars. The Skorpion Zinc under 17 Championship is the first opportunity where young players are properly introduced to association football and the only competition where their dreams to make it big in the football community are made real. ”It is our commitment as a company to invest in the future leaders of tomorrow through many ways of capacity building, despite the economic challenges we all face it is our responsibility to give hope to those young once and make them believe in themselves” Simataa said. A draw was conducted and will see Kavango East, Hardap, Otjozondjupa, Oshana and Kunene Regions in Group A; Kavango West, Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Omaheke and Erongo in Group B; and //Kharas, Omusati, Khomas and Zambezi in Group C. Simataa also announced at the occasion that Skorpion Zinc will sponsor women football with Seven Hundred Thousand Namibia Dollars.