Namibia’s rapid progress in volleyball has earned continental recognition, with the Namibia Volleyball Federation (NVF) receiving the African Volleyball Confederation’s (CAVB) Best National Federation Growth and Development Award.
The award was presented during the CAVB Ordinary Congress in Cabo Verde from 3 to 4 October, where NVF president Tobias Eden Mwatelulo represented Namibia alongside volleyball leaders from across Africa. Namibia was one of only five of CAVB’s 54 national federations recognised for growth and development during the 2025–26 period.
Mwatelulo attributed the recognition partly to Namibia’s participation in FIVB development programmes, including national-team development and knowledge transfer. The federation has also expanded its international officiating capacity, growing from no international referees approximately three years ago to four. Ndinelago “Ndina” Kasheeta and Abiatar Andreas officiate in beach volleyball, while Fillemon Amupadhi and Ihula Tobias Naushanga are involved in volleyball.
Namibia has also recorded notable results on the beach. Max and Jura Krafft won gold at the 2025 African U21 Beach Volleyball Championships, while Luca Kesselmann and Fabian Biederlack claimed bronze. Both pairs subsequently qualified for the FIVB U21 World Championships in Mexico. Namibia is also among the African countries qualified for beach volleyball at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
At home, the continued staging of the NVF regional leagues, MTC National Volleyball League and Bank Windhoek NVF Cup, together with CAVB Zone Six Beach Volleyball Tour legs in Windhoek and Swakopmund, has strengthened the domestic competition structure.
The congress also brought further responsibility for Mwatelulo, who was appointed to the CAVB Internal Audit Commission. He said the appointment reflects trust in Namibia and will allow the country to contribute to continental accountability, transparency and development. “Our aim is to put Africa on the highest platform,” Mwatelulo said.
He added that Namibia’s role was no longer only about developing volleyball locally, but contributing to the growth of African volleyball as a whole.
By Rudi Bowe
