WINDHOEK – The 2018 Bank Windhoek Namibia Volleyball Federation (NVF) Cup second and final rounds concluded at University of Namibia’s (UNAM) main campus in Windhoek, last weekend with Khomas Nampol and Revivals taking top honours in the men’s and women’s finals respectively.
The much-anticipated men’s final turned out to be a tightly contested encounter between the reigning champions Khomas Nampol Volleyball Club and the resilient talented Far Northern champions Six Stars VC.
Khomas Nampol started off the game slower than their opponents who took the first set. The team, however, relied on their experience as they came back stronger and won the second and final sets.
As a result, the law enforcers secured another victory to confirm their dominance in domestic volleyball after being crowned NVF Cup champions for a record 5th time.
Six Stars secured 2nd spot while the 3rd place went to NamPower who outplayed Eleven Warriors for the 3rd place play-off.
In the women’s section, Revivals were capped national champions in the female category after they battled it out against the Namibian Defence Force’s (NDF) side who safeguarded 2nd place.
Oshana Nampol defeated their counterparts from Oshikoto to claim the 3rd and final available podium spot.
Khomas Nampol’s inspirational skipper Messah Kambala praised Six Stars’ tactics. “They were very good with their playing style and we had to make sure we were at our best today,” said a delighted Kambala.
Revivals captain, Nokokure Kambatuku, the youngest squad member at 21, was overly excited as she celebrated her team’s victory. “Thank you Bank Windhoek for giving us an opportunity to play the sport we love,” she said.
Both winners in each category walked away with a cash prize of N$10 000, gold medals plus a floating trophy with runner-up taking home N$8 000 and silver medals – leaving the 3rd place finishers to pick up the pieces for the N$6 000 prize and bronze medals.
The gathering drew a great number of spectators who came out to cheer their favouite teams.
Veteran politician-cum-businessman Helmut Angula, patron of the NVF, was amongst the crowd with Bank Windhoek’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Hayley Allen, also in attendance.
“It was great to witness such a large number of young players that took part in this tournament. This shows us that the sport’s development is heading in the right direction. Congratulations to all the participating teams for a job well done,” said Allen.
NVF president, Hillary Dux Imbuwa, said that for the first time in the sport’s history, teams outside of Khomas Region made it to the finals during the tourney. “This is exciting news for the federation, which means the sport has indeed a bright future ahead,” he said.
The tourney, comprising the top teams from all five NVF-affiliated associations inclusive of gender, allows teams to battle it out for a chance to represent Namibia at the annual Zone VI Club Championships in Durban, South Africa, later this year.
Both Kambala and Kambatuku were quite confident Namibia will do its level best to bring the trophy home this time around.