By Michael Uugwanga
The Namibia Handball Federation (NHF), through its president, Issy Nakamwe, has announced that it will host its National Regional Tournament in the Zambezi Region from 19 to 20 November 2026, as part of efforts to expand and centralise the sport across all four corners of the country.
The tournament will feature U-18 female teams, U-18 junior teams, U-20 youth teams and senior men’s teams.
Handball remains one of the fastest-growing sporting codes in the country, despite only receiving membership recognition from the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) in 2021.
The rotation of the tournament between different regions is just the beginning of what the NHF hopes will be a broader expansion of the sport, as it seeks to establish handball as one of the major sporting codes in Namibia.
In many regions, football, netball and volleyball remain the dominant sporting codes, attracting large numbers of boys and girls.
Handball, however, is steadily trying to establish itself alongside these more established sports.
Nakamwe said the federation was excited to take the tournament to the Zambezi Region, describing it as more than just a sporting event.
“NHF is proud and excited to bring the National Regional Tournament to the Zambezi Region on 19-20 November 2026. This is more than a tournament. It is a statement that handball belongs to every region of Namibia, from the north-east to the south,” he said.
He added that the tournament would also provide an opportunity for the federation to identify players who could represent Namibia at upcoming international competitions.
“Building Namibia’s strongest teams: The NHF will be scouting the finest, strongest and most committed athletes to represent Namibia at the Women’s Championships and the Men’s Senior Trophy early next year. Your performance on court could be your ticket to wearing the Namibia jersey,” Nakamwe said.
He said the tournament would also serve as a development platform for handball in the Zambezi Region.
“A development workshop for Zambezi: The tournament will also grow handball in the region by developing coaches, players, officials and administrators,” he added.
The NHF leadership will also use the tournament to recruit additional members from the region to strengthen its structures and expand the sport into rural communities.
Nakamwe has urged residents of the Zambezi Region to come out in large numbers to witness some of the country’s best handball talent in action.
“Growing our family. We will also be adding new members to the Namibia Handball executive structure. If you are passionate about the game and ready to serve, this is your moment. Players, coaches, parents and fans, come and be part of history. Let’s show the nation what Zambezi handball is made of,” he said.
