The beach volleyball scene in Namibia is set to receive a major boost as Afrocat Sports Club gears up to host an exciting tournament at the A. Shipena Secondary School on Saturday. Aimed at promoting the sport and providing a platform for players of all levels to showcase their skills, the event promises to be a thrilling one, attracting experienced and novice players from across the country.

Registration is open until 2 June at noon, with a huge turnout of over 30 teams, including semi-professionals, professionals, indoor players and enthusiastic beginners expected to make their mark on the sandy courts.

So far, 80 teams have registered for the tournament, with more expected to join before the registration deadline.

The tournament is expected to be one of the highlights of the sporting calendar this year, said Ishitile Aloisius, the Afrocat Sports Club development officer.

“We are excited to bring beach volleyball to the community and provide a platform for players to compete, grow and showcase their skills,” said Aloisius.  He highlighted that beach volleyball has been played in Namibia but due to few interested parties and few venues, the competition has struggled to attract popularity. The tournament, sanctioned by the Namibia Volleyball Federation, will feature four exciting categories, ensuring there is something for everyone. 

The 2-aside experienced men and women categories will see seasoned players go head-to-head, displaying their expertise and tactical prowess. Additionally, the 2-aside social mix category will bring together male and female players from different age groups, with participants under 17 and senior players engaging in friendly competition.

The tournament will adopt the beach volleyball format, with matches played in a best-of-three-sets structure. The first two sets will be played up to 21 points, and if necessary, a tiebreak set will follow, with teams vying for victory by reaching 15 points.

While the tournament is yet to confirm the participation of notable professional or celebrity players, organisers are optimistic that some national team players will grace the sandy courts and elevate the level of competition.

The top three teams in each category will be awarded trophies, medals  and a share of the prize money over N$5 000, adding an extra incentive for players to give their all on the court. “We encourage everyone, young and old, sports enthusiasts and families to join us and be part of this fantastic event. We want to create a vibrant atmosphere where people can enjoy beach volleyball, cheer for their favourite teams and experience the joy of community engagement,” he said. 

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