A star performance from Lameesh Harris and Albertina Mathew saw them crowned as the Bank Windhoek Open Two-a-Side Beach Volleyball Women’s Division champions over the weekend.
The event saw several under-18 athletes reaching the semi-finals.
Harris and Mathew were crowned champions, followed by Pia Lück and Nadia Böhm, while Isabel von Wietersheim and Nora Rogl finished third.
In the under-19 boys’ division, Robert Sinclair and Rene Steinkopf secured the title.
The men’s division produced closely contested matches, underlining the growing competitiveness of the national game. Simeon Ndaxala and Teodor Thomas emerged as champions, ahead of Otto Nahambo and Petrus Petrus, with Jan Erik Sack and Sindano Shivute placing third.
Mole Beach at Swakopmund came alive as the Bank Windhoek Open brought together 34 teams for two days of exciting beach volleyball action on Saturday and Sunday, showcasing the depth, energy and rising promise of the sport in Namibia.
The open tournament was presented in partnership with the Namibia Volleyball Federation (NVF), Swakopmund Beach Academy and the Namibia Beach Volleyball Hub. It featured the women’s, under-19 boys’ and men’s divisions, combining competitive action with youth development and community participation.
Despite the cold, the event attracted an estimated 700 to 1 200 spectators and completed 58 matches across four courts.
It also provided valuable preparation for Namibian athletes ahead of the zone 6 international tournament, which will take place from 6 to 8 August at the same venue.
Bank Windhoek spokesperson Bronwyn Moody says: “The tournament reflects the bank’s commitment to platforms that develop Namibian sport.
“We are proud to support beach volleyball because it allows young athletes to compete, grow and represent the promise of Namibian sport. Events such as this show what is possible when partners work together to create pathways for excellence.”
The NVF says the Bank Windhoek Open continues to strengthen the pathway from junior participation to senior and international competition.
NVF Beach Volleyball director Conrad Johannes has thanked Bank Windhoek and all other partners, saying: “When we work together, we can really put Namibia on the map.”
