Martin Endjala
The Julinho Athletic Football Club is determined to become a formidable competitor in all competitions after the amalgamation of three sports clubs.
To form the new club, Julinho Sporting, Girls and Goals, as well as Athletic Club Football Academy merged last month.
The new club will henceforth be known as Julihno Athletic Football Club.
According to the club chairperson, Miguel Hamutenya, the merger signifies a move in the right direction of becoming title challengers in the coming seasons.
On Friday, Hamutenya told the Windhoek Observer that they would not rush things.
“We take it one step at a time. We have great men’s and women’s teams, but we realise that a lot more investment is required before we can challenge for the title,” he said.
Hamutenya emphasised that this is not a quick project but rather a long-term development.
Despite the ongoing work, he assured that every Julinho Athletic team will always be competitive.
“I was inspired by the efforts of the club to professionalise and be an inclusive owner of Girls and Goals Woman Football Club,” he said.
Hamutenya explained that the investment of N$1.2 million will be spread over three years, amounting to N$300 000 per season.
Additionally, he mentioned that the club will continue seeking support from the private sector to enable further growth.
The merger includes a men’s premiership team, a women’s premiership team, a Khomas Second Division development team (U/23), a Kavango East regional women’s development team (U/23), as well as boys’ and girls’ academies in Windhoek and Rundu.
It also features two futsal teams that will compete in the national futsal first division.
With this merger, the football club now boasts a record of nine teams competing in different Namibian football leagues, with 500 players signed under the club.
