Zebaldt Ngaruka
The ninth edition of the Namibian Defence Force annual games-themed ‘Forging Resilience Through Sports,’ ended successfully at Grootfontein over the weekend.
The prestigious event comprised nine sports codes; football, netball, volleyball, pool table, catapult, darts, chess, athletic and boxing, which took place at Dimo Hamaambo Garrison and Omulunga Sports grounds, whereas athletics games were staged at Rietfontein Sports ground.
Despite the victories from the participating units and formations of the NDF, 21 Brigade (BDE) was ranked the top performer with six trophies and numerous individual accolades, followed by Namibia Special Forces (NSF) and Namibian Navy (NN) in second and third places, respectively.
In the football category, 12 Brigade emerged victorious after defeating NSF by a 2-0 scoreline.
The football champions took home a trophy, and pocketed a cash prize of N$7 470 and 26 gold medals, while
NSF got 26 silver medals and N$4 482 cash as runners-up.
The host, Namibia Airforce (NAF), took home a cash prize of N$2 988
plus 26 bronze medals for coming third. NN retained the netball title after overcoming their Windhoek-based counterparts Composite Depot 55-29 and took a trophy, 16 gold medals
and N$5 810 cash.
The runners-up, Composite Depot, pocketed N$3 486, in addition to 16 silver medals, whereas the NDF Training Establishment (NDF TE) scooped the third place, and were awarded N$ 2 324.
Amongst other winners, 21 Brigade Volleyball scooped the first position, followed by the Fourth Artillery Brigade in second place, while NN took the third spot.
In addition to a trophy, 21 BDE pocketed N$5 395 cash and 16 gold medals, whereas Fourth Artillery settled for 16 silver medals and a cash prize of N$3 237. NN walked away with N$2 153 plus 16 bronze medals.
The pool table trophy went to NDF TE for coming first. They were also awarded N$4 150 and five gold medals.
The amount of N$2 490, plus five silver medals, was given to 21 BDE for coming second in the pool table competition.
The 26 BDE team took the third position, and pocketed a cash prize of N$1 660 and five bronze medals.
In the male category of catapult, 21 BDE came first, followed by 26 BDE and Fourth Artillery in second and third places, respectively.
21 BDE took home a trophy,
N$2 075 and 18 gold medals, while 26 BDE claimed N$1 245 cash and 18 silver medals.
Team Fourth Artillery settled for N$830 cash and 18 bronze medals. The Recce Regiment from Otavi won the catapult trophy for the female category and received N$2 075 cash, plus 18 gold medals.
The Otavi-based team was followed by 26 BDE, who took 18 silver medals and a cash amount of N$1 245 in second place, while Dolphin Battalion came third, and received N$830 in addition to 18 bronze medals.
The darts trophy went to 21 BDE,who pocketed N$660 and received six gold medals, whereas Otjiwarongo-based Fourth Artillery came second, settled for N$996 and six silver medals.
The third place went to Namibia Army School of Artillery, who got N$664 and six bronze medals.
Team 21 BDE won the chess trophy after it came ahead of NN and NAF, who scooped the second and third places, respectively.
The chess winner also pocketed N$3 735 and four gold medals while NN walked away with N$2 241 and four silver medals. NAF went home with four bronze medals and N$1 494 for their efforts.
In athletics, 12 BDE claimed the trophy, 10 gold medals, two silver medals, four bronze medals and
N$4 565 for their dominance while 21 BDE settled for five gold medals, four silver medals, five bronze and N$2 739 for coming second.
The third position went to NAF, who pocketed N$1 826 plus 26 medals. In the boxing competition, 21 BDE showed class and took a trophy, six gold medals, three silver medals and one bronze medal, in addition to a cash prize of N$4 565.
It was followed by NSF with two gold medals, three silver medals and N$2 739 in second place, whereas NN took one gold medal, three silver medals and a cash prize of N$1 826.
– zngaruka@yahoo.com