WALVIS BAY – The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) officially launched its first-ever 7-A-Side Corporate Soccer Tournament on Wednesday, themed ‘Score Goals for a Greater Cause’. 

The event aims to promote wellness, community involvement and local economic participation.

The tournament is currently targeted at Walvis Bay corporate companies, with plans to expand to include more sport codes in the future.

Speaking at the launch in Walvis Bay, Namport’s executive for commercial services Elias Mwenyo stated that the tournament is more than just a sporting event.

“Our coming together is not only to celebrate our collective love for the game of soccer, but also to promote wellness, strengthen community ties and create sustainable economic impact,” he stated. He added that economic growth is sustainable only when communities are healthy, resilient and empowered.

“Wellness initiatives of this nature should no longer be seen as voluntary acts, but an essential part of any day-to-day business operations,” he noted.

The tournament forms part of Namport’s corporate social investment pillar on community health and well-being.

Co-sponsor Pindulo Namibia expressed enthusiasm for the initiative. Business development director Festus Tautinge described the launch as historic, giving companies a chance to connect beyond boardrooms.

“At Pindulo, we move cargo every day, but with this Namport 7-A-Side Tournament, we are moving something more – community trust and community spirit. It represents teamwork, healthy competition and bringing people together. Whether you come last or first, we are all winners when we support each other and the community,” he remarked.

Thirty-two teams have registered and will compete in the tournament, which takes place at Walvis Bay this weekend.

Tournament coordinator Paulus Shipanga said teams will each play seven matches in the group stage before progressing to the Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals. 

Each team registers 12 players for the tournament, with no mid-event substitutions allowed.

The winning team will receive N$15 000, a floating trophy, medals and an additional N$10 000 donation to a charity of their choice.

Second and third-place teams will receive N$7 000 and N$4 000, respectively.

The matches will be refereed by, among others, Twanyanyukwa Antsino, who recently made history by officiating the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final match in July. 

-Nampa