Volleyball brings northern youth together

First volleyball tournament for the O-regions
The federation hosted 14 schools from northern Namibia in a volleyball tournament last weekend.
TUNOHOLE MUNGOBA
The Namibia Volleyball Federation (NVF) hosted 14 schools from northern Namibia to participate in a tournament last weekend.

Held at the Ondangwa Tennis Court in the Oshana Region, the federation hosted its first ever volleyball school tournament and it was well attended from schools from Oshana, Ohangwena, Oshikoto and Omusati.

Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila Resource and Vocational School walked away as the winners of the tournament and received N$3 500 in prize money. The first runners-up were the Haudano Senior Secondary School first team, who received N$2 000, followed by Haudano's second team, who received N$1 000.

NVF far north branch chairperson Festus Hamukwaya said organising the tournament took a month and a half and a total of 14 schools participated.

“The schools are really impressive as the children are very motivated and excited. Some are noticing their talent for volleyball. We also have some children who are players for the under-20 national team. This is important because they are motivating those who were not selected to work harder."

He said the school leadership is working hard to discipline the players, and plans to rotate the tournament in northern towns are currently underway.

NVF president Hillary Imbuwa added that the tournament was an initiative by the federation and Bank Windhoek. “We believe that schools play a very important role when it comes to the development of any sports. From the budget we received from Bank Windhoek, let us reserve a little for the tournament for the schools."

He said the competition will give the young players the opportunity to polish their skills so they can compete at higher levels.

“It is the first of its kind and we are really happy with the turnout from the schools. We want to call upon more stakeholders to come on board so we are able to have such events in other parts of the country.”

He also urged the winning schools to invest the prize money back into volleyball so they can continue to grow the sport.