The 26th edition of the Top Score 7-a-side tournament concluded last Saturday in Windhoek, with Paratus Vuma Football Club crowned champions after six weekends of football.
Paratus Vuma FC secured the title in a tightly contested final against Saintz FC, with the match ending goalless in regulation time before Paratus triumphed 3-1 in a penalty shootout to seal their victory and walking away with N$ 15 000.
Saintz FC walked away with second place and an N$ 8 000 prize, MDW Finacial Services claimed third and a N$ 5 000 prize while LA United claimed fourth place and N$2 000.
Top Score Namibia brand manager, Diego Talaya reflected on the tournament, noting that while there were a few early challenges, the overall event was a resounding success.
“The tournament experienced some minor challenges at the beginning, particularly with the weather. Rains flooded the field and some teams struggled to access the venue at the beginning, but after that it ran smoothly,” Talaya explained.
Despite the initial setbacks, the tournament drew impressive participation, with a total of 72 teams registering. Talaya highlighted that many of the teams were company-based, using the tournament as an opportunity to promote team building and staff engagement.
“The majority of the teams come from various companies that enter as part of their team-building initiatives. These companies look forward to this tournament every year, usually between February and March and this year was no exception. It has been an especially interesting and competitive edition,” he said.
The competition once again showcased the growing popularity of social and corporate football in Namibia, bringing together players of different skill levels in a spirited and inclusive environment.
Speaking after the final, Paratus Vuma FC captain Lloyd Farmer expressed his pride in the team’s achievement, describing the victory as a reward for their perseverance and unity over the past few years.
“This tournament has really brought us together as a company and as a team. For the first time since we started participating three years ago, we have finally won it. Last year we reached the knockout stages and now we’ve gone all the way to lift the trophy,” Farmer said.