Rundu hosts NVF Cup first round 

The 16th Bank Windhoek NVF Cup will be a spectacle to behold, says Namibian Volleyball Federation secretary general Festus Hamukwaya.

The first of two rounds will take place at Rundu this weekend, with the final instalment at Swakopmund on 2 and 3 November, when the top two men’s and women’s teams will earn automatic promotion to the MTC National Volleyball League for the 2025 season.

Speaking on the significance of this year’s tournament, Hamukwaya says the 16th edition stands out due to better incentives.

“With the introduction of the MTC Volleyball National League, the competition has intensified, with everyone wanting to play at the top level,” he says.

Hamukwaya also highlights the importance of a sponsorship from Bank Windhoek and an improved prize pool, which rewards the first-placed team with N$30 000, the runner-up with N$20 000, and N$10 000 goes to the third-place winners in both the men’s and women’s competitions.

“These aspects make the 2024 edition a marvel, setting it apart from previous years,” he says.

The official draw for the NVF Cup will be conducted during the preliminary enquiry at the Unam Rundu Campus Hall tomorrow evening.

In the men’s category, 16 teams will compete, including 065 VC and Medipark VC from the Far North Volleyball Association, Renegades 911 and Real Cheetah from the Zambezi region, and Mighty Gunners VC representing the Central North.

Blue Waters VC and Namibian Navy VC will represent the Erongo region, while NamPower VC and Afrocat Sport Club Team C are from the Khomas region.

Other notable contenders include Brutal Pact, Unam Vipers VC and RiverSide SC from the Kavango region, alongside Keetmanshoop VC and Quiver VC from the south.

Western Riverside VC and Himarwa Iithete SS AVC from Kavango West complete the line-up.

The women’s category will feature 12 teams, with Seagulls VC and Vixens VC from Zambezi, with Erongo Nampol VC and Blue Waters VC representing the Erongo region.

Nakapele A VC and Greenside VC are top challengers from the Far North League, while Shining Stars VC and Calvary Eagles SC will carry the hopes of the Kavango regions.

The central regions’ teams include NDF Phoenixes VC and Unam Queens, with B2Gold VC and Eleven Warriors VC.

The promotion of the top teams to the MTC Volleyball National League is expected to significantly raise the stakes, which in turn has amplified the quality of the regional leagues that have become highly competitive in recent times.

“If you take any regional team today and match them against a national league team, they will give it their all. They may not always win, but they’ll put up a great fight, boosting the overall level of play,” Hamukwaya says.

The NVF currently lacks an official sponsor as a federation, however, a development proposal for the 2025 season is already in place.

“We’ll be working with regional development directors and reaching out to potential corporate sponsors to ensure the continued growth of volleyball and the attraction of young talent, particularly in schools,” the senior volleyball federation official says.

He says Bank Windhoek’s sponsorship has been instrumental in making the tournament a success.

“For any event to succeed in today’s world, financial backing is required. The participation of 16 men’s and 12 women’s teams from across the country would not have been possible without Bank Windhoek’s support,” Hamukwaya says.

For casual or dedicated followers, the 2024 NVF Cup promises fresh talent, fierce competition and gripping entertainment.

Hamukwaya invites the Rundu community and sport lovers to experience Namibian volleyball at its finest.

“This year, you’ll see players and teams you’ve never seen before, all competing with hunger and determination to reach the finals and secure a spot in the MTC Volleyball National League,” he says.

“We’re dealing with a new generation of athletes, and the talent on display will be exciting.”