Twenty-first brigade triumphant

While the annual Namibia Defence Force (NDF) sport games are considered an opportunity for about 1 600 military personnel to enjoy team building and networking in the outdoors, the competition between players at the 7th edition of this event was still fierce.
This year the event was hosted in Swakopmund by the navy. Personnel from military divisions converged from across the country to take part in various sport codes such as athletics, triathlon, chess, pool, boxing, volleyball, netball and soccer.
The 21st Brigade from Windhoek won gold in three of the codes, namely chess, pool and volleyball. The winners took home three trophies, and each team member received a gold medal around the neck.
"What is bronze, or silver? We love gold," retired commander of the division, Erastus Kashopola, happily quipped during the prize-giving ceremony.
As for the triathlon, a Defence Headquarter participant competed against a Navy participant, but the navy was disqualified for entering the wrong person, so team Headquarters won by default.
The Composite Depot was the only team that maintained its status as defending champion - for the third year in a row - after winning the netball.
The final soccer match between 26 Brigade and the army provost was a nail-biter that resulted in extra time, during which the 26 Brigade clinched the game with a beautiful ball in the net.
"The competition was stiff, but you must admit, you made friends too," defence minister Frans Kapofi, who officially closed the event, said.
He said that great talent and sportsmanship were showcased and that several athletes and teams managed to be rewarded.
"There is however only one overall winner, and that is the NDF team, of which all of you are a member," he said. The minister concluded by daring the chess teams to prepare to meet him on the other side of the chess board at the next NDF sports games.

Results:

Athletics: Navy (1st), 12 Brigade (2nd) and Defence Headquarters (3rd).

Triathlon: Defence Headquarters (1st). Only one participant, as the Naval opponent was disqualified.

Chess: 21 Brigade (1s), Navy A (2nd) and Navy B (3rd)

Pool: 21 Brigade (1st), Army provost (2nd) and Military hospital (3rd).

Boxing: Namibia Special Force (1st), 21 Brigade (2nd) and Navy (3rd)

Volley Ball: 21 Brigade (1st), 4th Artillery Brigade (2nd) and 26 Brigade (3rd)

Netball: Composite Depot (1st), 21 Brigade (2nd) and Defence headquarters (3rd)

Soccer: 26 Brigade (1st), Army Provost (2nd) and NDF Training Establishment (3rd)