Beach Volleyball: Nigeria teams win gold at Zone 3 U21 Championship

 

Nigeria have emerged champions of the just concluded Zone 3 U21 Beach Volleyball Championship in the Boys’ and Girls’ category on Sunday.

Nigeria defeated host, Benin Republic I 2-0 (21-14, 21-17) in the boys’ final while Nigeria pummeled the first team of Benin Republic 2-0 (21-11, 21-13) in the Girls’ category.

The duo of Emenike Ezike and Emmanuel Udah represented Nigeria in the boys’ event while Happy Wushiland and Esther Mbah wore the colours of the country in the girls’ event.

An elated Emmanuel Udah said he is looking forward to other international outings after winning his first international medal in 2022.

Udah said, “I want to thank God for the victory in Benin Republic and the President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod for ensuring the teams participated in Zone 3 despite the late invitation given to the country. It was a good outing and it feels great to win the first international trophy in 2022 for the country. We are looking forward to subsequent competitions and the teams will not let the country down.”

The head coach of Nigeria Beach Volleyball Team, John Iwerima applauded the Chairman of Nigeria Beach Volleyball Commission, Engineer Musa Nimrod for always creating the platform for junior players to showcase their God given talents.

Iwerima said, “My sincere appreciation goes to Almighty God for doing this great thing for us and to the President of NVBF, Engineer Musa Nimrod for supporting us. He has always provided the platform for us to showcase the talent at the junior level.

“It projects a bright future for Nigeria as we prepare for other international engagements like the commonwealth games qualifiers and other international tours that come up later in the year. This is a rehearsal for greater things to come for volleyball, especially beach volleyball; thank you all for your constant prayers for the success of the teams.”

The President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod lauded the players and the coaching crew for landing the federation her first international gold medals.

He said, “This victory indicates that it is going to be a successful outing for Nigeria in 2022. The Nigeria Beach Volleyball Commission are excited about this development and it is our belief that the indoor will also bring glory to the country.”

In the semifinals, Nigeria beat Ghana 2-0 (21-16, 21-16) in the boys’ category while Nigeria defeated Benin Republic II 2-0 (21-12, 21-15) in the girls’ category.

Nigeria U21 team secures Beach Volleyball semifinals

 

Nigeria U21 teams have qualified for the semifinals of the ongoing Zone 3 U21 Beach Volleyball Championship in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

The duo of Emenike Ezike and Emmanuel Udah (Nigeria boys), schooled Benin Republic 2-0 (21-4, 21-6) in their first match before taking Niger Republic to the cleaners 2-0 (21-11, 21-19) in their second match on Friday.

The Nigeria girls team, Happy Wushiland and Esther Mbah did not waste time to dispatch Benin Republic 2-0 (21-10, 21-9) in their first match and won their second match convincingly against Ghana 2-0 (21-14, 21-8).

The coach of Nigeria U21 beach volleyball team, John Iwerima expressed satisfaction over the performances of the team at the championship.

Iwerima said the players exhibited a high level of technicalities in each of their matches.

He said, “I am happy over the performances of each of the players; they are hungry for wins and have shown to the world that they want to win the championship.

“If you look at the matches, you will see that players did not give their opponent chances to express themselves. The players showed a high level of technicality in their two matches. I strongly believe that if these players are given more playing time together, we will have a formidable beach volleyball junior team.”

Speaking from Cotonou, the President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod praised the team for making Nigeria proud in the group stages.

The Secretary General of Confederation of Africa Volleyball (CAVB) Zone 3 said, “I watched the team play and I must confess that they have shown much promise. We are not going to put pressure on the team and the coaches; I believe that they will emerge victorious.”

The Nigeria boys and girls team will face Liberia in their last group stage matches on Saturday.

Volleyball: New Wave, Sunshine Spikers talk tough ahead of 2022 Regional Cup final

New Waves VC and Sunshine Spikers of Akure have booked their place in the men's final of the ongoing 2022 Regional Unity Invitational Cup in Oloru, Kwara State on Friday

In the first men's semifinals, star studded New Waves VC dispatched Nile University 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-22) while  Sunshine Spikers defeated Oloru Super Stars 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-21) at the outdoor court of Government Secondary School in Moro Local Government Area on Thursday.

The Captain of Sunshine Spikers, Daniel Nathaniel said his team are going to enjoy themselves in the finals.

Nathaniel revealed that the Invitational Cup is used to sharpen Sunshine Spikers ahead of the 2022 Nigeria Volleyball Season.

He said, "Sunshine Spikers are not under pressure to win this year's edition of the Regional Unity Invitational Challenge Cup. We are here to enjoy ourselves; you saw the way we played against Oloru Super Stars in the semifinals.

"Sunshine Spikers were not impressive at last season's Nigeria Volleyball Premier League, in fact we narrowly escaped relegation. This tournament will be used to prepare ahead of this year's volleyball season.

Meanwhile, Plateau Rocks will face young side, Niger Raven in the women's final on Friday by 2pm.

3rd place matches:

Legacy VC v Oloru Super Angels (10am) women

Oloru Super Stars v Nile University (12pm) men

Day 4 Semifinals results of the ongoing 2022 Regional Unity Invitational Cup in Oloru

Men:

Sunshine Spikers v Oloru Super Stars 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-21)

New Waves VC v Nile University 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-22)

Women:

Niger Raven v Legacy VC 3-2 (19-25, 26-24, 25-21, 23-25, 15-7)

Plateau Rocks v Oloru Super Angels 3-1 (25-20, 27-25, 15-25, 25-22)

NVBF President, Engineer Musa Nimrod donates 300 balls to 6 Geo-Political Zones

 

In a bid to develop the game of volleyball in the 36 states of the Federation, the President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod has 300 balls to the Zonal Representatives of the 6 Geo-Political Zones.

Nimrod made the presentation of 50 balls each to the 6 NVBF Zonal Representatives at the recently concluded 2021 Nigeria Volleyball Premier League in Abuja.

The Chairman of Kaduna State Volleyball Association told newsmen that the ball will in solving the issue of scarcity of balls in the Local Government Areas of each states.

Nimrod commended board members of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation for contributing their quota to the development of volleyball at the state and national levels.

He said, “I am donating 50 balls each to the 6 Zonal Representatives on the board of Nigeria Volleyball Federation in order to develop the game at the various states. The various board members have keyed into the vision of this current board which is to make volleyball the envy of other sports.

“The balls donated will go a long way in solving the issues of scarcity of balls in some states. The Zonal Representatives knows the areas where the balls and lacking in their Geo-Political Zones. 

“I want to thank my fellow board members for contributing their own quota in the development of the game and in 2022, Nigeria will witness a new dawn in volleyball especially Park Volleyball.

Volleyball: Nimrod recounts 2021 Nigeria Premier League successes

 

The President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod has described the 2021 Nigeria Volleyball Premier League a huge success.

Nimrod disclosed this to during an interview with newsmen in Kaduna state on Friday.

The Secretary General of Confederation of Africa Volleyball (CAVB) Zone 5 said every member of the current NVBF board and other relevant stakeholders contributed to the successful hosting of the Premier League.

“The 2021 Nigeria Volleyball Premier League was a huge success, the League Management Committee never believed we could hold the Division One and Premier League between such a short period," Nimrod stated.

“Everything you saw at the recently concluded league was the joint efforts of all the present board members and stakeholders. I want to tell you that the Nigeria Volleyball Federation currently do not have a sponsor but I must appreciate all those that contributed to the success of the Federation.”

On the positives recorded, Nimrod shared his excitement about the huge potentials shown  and quality of competition provided by the young players.

“The young players are controlling the game and making the league more competitive," he continued. 

"Unlike when we started the Nigeria Volleyball Premier League four years ago, the older players control the league but this time around, the younger players have made the league very tough.

“The young players sprung up from the African U21 Championship in Abuja, the African Youth Games in Algiers and many others. The Nigeria Volleyball Federation initiated the Super Cup in 2021 and next year, the Super Cup will be held in Lagos which will be the biggest tournament.”

A total of 17 teams - 10 male and seven female teams participated in the just concluded 2021 Nigeria Volleyball Premier League won by Kano Pillars and NSCDC respectively.

Musa Nimrod returns as President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation

The Secretary General of Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) Zone 3, Engineer Musa Nimrod has been re-elected President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation.

The elections took place at the indoor Gymnastics hall of MKO Abiola Stadium, Package B in Abuja.

Nimrod has promised to work together with every board members and stakeholders to take the game of volleyball to the promise land.

The North West Representative on the NVBF board revealed that his board will continue to promote volleyball and partner with relevant individuals and the private sector.

Nimrod said, "It ia time for everyone on the board to put their differences and focus on how the game of volleyball will grow.

"I cannot do it alone, I need the support of every member of the board in order to take volleyball to the promise land".

Engineer Musa Nimrod defeated Mallam Alhassan Yakmut by 11-0 votes at the indoor hall of MKO Abiola Stadium Package B in Abuja.

Volleyball: Nigeria breaks 16 years semi-final jinx at 2021 African Nations Cup

Nigeria women's senior volleyball team progresses to the semi-final of the ongoing 2021 African Seniors Nations Championship in Rwanda on Friday.

The development is coming on the heels of the decision taken by African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB) to disqualify hosts Rwanda from the championship, having confirmed they fielded an ineligible players following an appeal by Nigeria and two others.

At it stands, Nigeria move to the top of Pool A with 6 points and will face Morocco in her last group match on Saturday, September 18.

Before the match between Senegal and Rwanda on Thursday, the Senegalese team wrote a protest letter to African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB) control committee on the foreigners been used illegally by Rwanda team.

Afterwards, Morocco and Nigeria joined in with their own petitions to the Local Organising Committee on the ineligible players fielded by Rwanda, which led to the latest verdict made by the organizers. 

Before the verdict, the Nigeria women's senior team had been denied access to their training ground on Friday while the referee were stopped from officiating matches.

With this development,  Nigeria has finally broken it's semi-final jinx, having reached the stage for the first time since 2005 when the championship was last held in Nigeria.