The second leg of the 2026 Going for Gold Winter Edition beach volleyball tournament has been hailed a success after attracting teams from both coastal towns and Windhoek to Mole Beach last weekend.
Organisers say the competition continues to play an important role in developing the sport and exposing young athletes to higher levels of competition. Fourteen men's and five women's teams competed during the second leg, with both finals going the distance as players showcased the growth of beach volleyball in Namibia.
Namibia Volleyball Federation Beach Volleyball Director Conrad Johannes described the event as a success, noting that the standard of competition continues to improve while giving young players an opportunity to develop and prepare for domestic competitions. According to Johannes, the participation of teams from both the coast and the capital demonstrates the growth of the sport and creates opportunities for athletes to compete locally and internationally.“It gives the young people of Swakopmund and surrounding areas a chance to measure themselves and learn how to compete so that they can start playing on the national tour when they're a bit older. The event attracted teams from both Swakopmund and Windhoek and featured thrilling finals. Beach volleyball is in a very exciting stage. We've got a lot of activity and a lot of chances for athletes to compete, not only locally but also internationally. The youngsters use these opportunities to develop themselves and grow their game so that we can eventually become competitive at an African level and on the World Tour stage as well,” Johannes said.
He also welcomed the tournament's official hydration partner, noting that sponsorships are key to improving events, supporting athletes, and attracting more players and spectators.
Looking ahead to the next tournament in September, organisers say they plan to improve player facilities, increase prize money, and enhance event production as they continue to grow the sport across the country.“Beach volleyball has great opportunities. We've got the African Hub, the Youth Olympics, the African Development Cup, and our senior men's team, the Khuff brothers, hopefully competing at the Olympic qualifiers later this year. There's a lot of activity happening, but we need resources, so sponsors need to help us. We have the talent and the athletes, but a deeper player base will create more competitiveness. There are a lot of people doing great work in Windhoek and here in Swakopmund, and we need more people to drive the growth,” Johannes added.
Johannes also called on sponsors and aspiring athletes to support the development of beach volleyball, saying Namibia has the talent and potential to compete successfully at African and international level.