Youth stars head to The MTC Dome
The MTC Dome in Swakopmund will be the battleground for 35 teams from across the country as they battle it out in the U21, U19, U17, U15 and U13 age groups at the third edition of the Namibia Youth Volleyball Festival (NYVF) this Saturday.
The tournament is the brainchild of former Namibia Volleyball Federation (NVF) leaders, including two former presidents, Joel Matheus and Hillary Dux Imbuwa, as well as former vice president Mwita Sikopo.
Established in 2024, the annual event has grown from strength to strength, providing a platform for the sport’s grassroots development and allowing young players to showcase their skills at the national level.
The event also provides a gateway to international competition, as teams from other countries are allowed to sign up and compete.
This was evident in the previous edition, when a team from the Association of Trust Schools (ATS) Zimbabwe dominated the U17 girls’ section.
Local champions
Other section champions included Afrocat Sports Club teams, who completed a clean sweep of the U20 sections by winning the boys’ and girls’ crowns, before adding another title in the boys’ U17 category.
Delta Secondary School Windhoek (DSSW) also completed a clean sweep of the U15 sections.
Meanwhile, Deutsche Höhere Privatschule Windhoek (DHPS) won the U13 girls’ title, while Christ’s Love Christian School took the U13 boys’ crown.
The U21 section has been introduced for this year’s edition after the U20 section was revised into two age categories, U21 and U19.
The event has attracted entries mainly from the Khomas and Erongo regions.
In a statement, tournament director Imbuwa said the tournament provides opportunities for youth aged 10 to 21 to showcase their talent.
“We have grown into one of the country’s most exciting youth sporting events. The tournament aligns with the broader vision of strengthening grassroots volleyball structures while supporting the development agenda of the NVF,” he said.
Sustainable opportunities
Emphasising the importance of creating sustainable opportunities for youth participation in sport, Imbuwa stressed that past volleyball leaders have a better understanding of the strategic gaps that exist in grassroots tournaments.
“This event was established to help bridge that gap by creating meaningful opportunities for young players to compete, develop their talent and gain exposure in a structured environment.
“We believe that investing in youth today is investing in the future of Namibian volleyball.
“We have a vision to become the country’s largest mass-participation youth volleyball platform, inspiring up-and-coming athletes to achieve excellence, while promoting discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship and healthy lifestyles.”
Identifying talent
The festival also serves as a talent identification and development platform, contributing to the growth of volleyball in schools and communities while strengthening the pathway for future national team athletes.
The organisers extended their appreciation to participating schools, academies, coaches, parents, volunteers, partners and sponsors whose continued support has made the festival possible.
“We would like to especially thank Light Systems Namibia, who sponsored N$10 000 towards last year’s trophies, and OTB Sport for sponsoring medals at last year’s and this year’s editions.”
