Van Rhyn Primary School etched their name into the history books of the Mayoral Cup 2026, claiming the coveted under-13 football title in a tightly contested final that had spectators on the edge of their seats at Bobby Sissing Sport Stadium.

The school edged out People's Primary School by a single goal, a result that reflected just how fiercely competitive this year's edition of the City of Windhoek Mayoral Cup turned out to be.

Forty-two schools from across the Khomas region descended on the capital, making 2026 one of the most widely participated editions of the tournament since its founding in 2011.

The tournament, now a fixture on Windhoek's school sport calendar, spans three codes - football, netball, and volleyball - giving young athletes across disciplines a stage to shine.

In the football third-place playoff, Green Leafs Primary School proved too strong for Bethold Primary School, running out 3-1 winners to secure the bronze position.

St Barnabas Primary School delivered an emphatic performance in the under-13 netball final, overwhelming Amazing Kids Private School and Academy by a staggering 23-1 - a scoreline that left little doubt about their dominance throughout the competition.

Their route to the final was equally commanding, having dispatched Christ Love 13-7 in the semi-finals, while Amazing Kids edged through on the narrowest of margins, beating Moses van der Byl 6-5.

Christ Love claimed third place in netball after a convincing 13-6 victory over Moses van der Byl.

On the volleyball courts, DHPS lifted the girls' under-13 trophy, with Christ Love finishing second and Moses van der Byl rounding out the podium.

The boys' volleyball title went to Christ Love, who edged ahead of Progress Private School in second, with Moses van der Byl once again finishing third.

What sets the Mayoral Cup apart from typical school competitions is its deliberate investment in the winners.

The City of Windhoek backed all top-three finishers across each sport code with tangible prizes — first-place teams received sports equipment valued at N$5 000, second-place schools took home N$3 000 worth, and bronze medalists were awarded N$2 000 in equipment.

It is a gesture that speaks to something bigger than trophies - a city investing in the next generation.

Mayor Sakarias Uunona addressed participants with a message centered on purpose, reminding young players that the under-13 sport initiative exists to build discipline, encourage teamwork, and nurture healthy lifestyles among primary school pupils.

He urged competitors to embrace the spirit of the game - playing with passion, respecting officials and opponents alike, and carrying themselves with dignity regardless of the final score.

His message underscored a broader civic vision: sport as a tool for community building, not just competition.

The tournament is organised in collaboration with the Khomas School Sports Region and the Windhoek Schools Sport Union, a partnership that has helped the event grow steadily since its inception.

For the schools, the families, and the children who competed, the 2026 edition of the City of Windhoek Mayoral Cup was far more than a sporting event - it was a celebration of what young Namibians are capable of when given the platform to rise.