NCS and Shining Stars make volleyball history
The Namibia Correctional Services (NCS) and Shining Stars volleyball teams made history by winning the Bank Windhoek Namibia Volleyball Federation (NVF) Doc Tournament for the first time.Hosted in Swakopmund, the Ondangwa and Rundu-based teams defeated Windhoek’s defending champions Active Performer Academy and Revivals in the men’s and women’s categories. The win means that for the first time in its 39-year history, the Bank Windhoek NVF trophy goes outside the Khomas region.
Nokokure Kambatuku, Frieda Indongo, and Sara Wayiti of Revivals put up a good fight competing with Shining Stars’ Botswana Nationals Tracy Chaba-Disang, Thapelo Kamberuka, and Poloko Namane, who were invited by the Rundu-based team.
Erongo Titans and Afrocat gave the spectators an exciting quarter-final match which was won by the latter by two sets to zero. The two young teams kept the spectators on edge, not knowing how the results would end.
The winners were awarded N$10 000, N$8 000, N$6 000, and N$3 000 in both categories respectively.
NVF president Hillary Imbuwa said it is exciting that about 90 per cent of the players are young, and participated in a fun, competitive atmosphere.
Growing
“The Bank Windhoek NVF Doc Tournament attracted 37 teams which translates into 518 players displaying magnificent volleyball talent, witnessed by over 200 spectators,” said Imbuwa. “We believe the sports code is indeed growing bigger and better. We are thankful that Bank Windhoek believes in us.”
The NVF is the only body legally recognised in the country as authorised to administer and govern all forms of volleyball. It oversees, manages and communicates all forms of volleyball and beach volleyball at all levels nationwide.
Bank Windhoek’s Hayley Allen congratulated the NVF for hosting another successful tournament. “Bank Windhoek is proud to be associated with the NVF, which aims at developing and marketing the sport countywide. We have supported volleyball with over N$2 million since 2014. We were equally happy to witness competitive matches dominated by the youth. This is a testament that the sport has a bright future in Namibia,” Allen said.
The event, which took place at the Dome in Swakopmund earlier this month, is one of the NVF’s highlights and saw players from Botswana and Germany participating, with other teams from the Zambezi, Kavango East, Ohangwena and Oshana regions.
Next on the volleyball calendar is the Confederation of African Volleyball Zone Six Tournament in Swakopmund this Easter weekend.