The Palms for Life Sports Tournament took place this past weekend in Tsumkwe, bringing local residents and athletes together for a multi-sport community event.

The Palms for Life Cleaning Campaign is a community project launched in April last year in Tsumkwe with 29 participants, aiming to keep the settlement clean while encouraging civic engagement. To recognise the volunteers for their hard work and dedication, organisers hosted a sports tournament that also fostered broader local development.

Campaign coordinator Paulus Ndara highlighted how the event created economic opportunities alongside athletic competition."We had vendors who came to sell chips, sweets, meat and other items. We want to promote entrepreneurship and encourage young people to develop a business mindset so they can create income opportunities for themselves."

Tsumkwe resident Ndara Mahongo commended the initiative, expressing appreciation for the tournament's positive impact."I salute Palms for Life with all my heart. Soccer tournaments are very important. I really appreciate the organisers and everyone who made these games possible. We are very happy."

Although football, netball, and volleyball were scheduled, competition proceeded with football and netball after no volleyball teams appeared.

Four teams contested the netball tournament in a round-robin format, with Tsumkwe Secondary School emerging as champions.

In the football division, 14 teams competed in a knockout bracket. Tsumkwe NamPol, popularly known as Slow Poison, ended a decade-long trophy drought by defeating hosts Palms for Life 2-0 in the final.

Slow Poison Coach Christian Ndemwoongela expressed satisfaction following the long-awaited victory."I feel so great. I can't really remember the last time we played in a final and won it. We have reached many finals before, but today we managed to win the trophy."

Slow Poison left winger Delvin Damaseb noted that the team exceeded its initial expectations."The tournament was great. We honestly didn't come here expecting to win. We just wanted to enjoy ourselves. But as things turned out, we won the tournament."

Palms for Life Captain Isak Muyambango reflected candidly on his side's performance in the decisive match."It was really enjoyable for the youth and the Tsumkwe community. A final is a final; there will always be a winner. Personally, I'm not happy with how we performed because we played well in the first half, but we lost focus in the second half."

Champions Slow Poison walked away with N$6,000, the tournament trophy and gold medals. Runners-up Palms for Life received N$3,500 and silver medals, while Manchester United finished third to claim N$2,500 and bronze medals.