By Victor Kanayo
The Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) has unveiled men and women teams ahead of the 2022 Africa Volleyball U-19 men Championship scheduled for Morocco and Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
The men tournament kicks off in Casablanca on Wednesday August 31, while that of women will kick off August 30.
The teams had been in training for six weeks in Nigeria.
Unveiling the teams, NVBF President, Engr. Musa Nimrod, urged them to secure World Cup tickets.
Addressing the players and coaches of both teams ahead of their departure at their Ahmadu Bello Stadium training camp in Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria on Monday, Engr. Nimrod asked them to strive to win the tournaments and pick World Cup tickets in line with the rising profile of Nigeria in continental and world volleyball.
He however called on blue chip companies, corporate organisations and philanthropists to come in and partner with the game of volleyball in Nigeria, noting that though the game is gaining more popularity both at the grassroots level and nationally, it needs further development to reach top echelon globally.
“This is to unveil our U-19 boys and girls teams ahead of African Championships. The U-19 boys would be heading to Morocco tomorrow (Tuesday), while the girls will depart for Abuja today (Monday). The girls have to be in Abuja on 29 ahead of full arrival billed for August 30.
“After rigorous training from coaches, they are set to go. Over 30 players were invited to camp for each team, the boys will go with 12 players, but the girls will go with 14 players because we are hosting. It’s our desire that they come first. Our major goal is to see that we get the tickets for World Championships.
“We are pleased with their performance. Our U-19 boys are defending their ticket. We are challenging them that they have to finish tops. I want to appeal to all the players, though it has been challenging, but God has been faithful.
“It’s unfortunate that our U-21 girls could not make it to Tunisia because of flight tickets. We are glad that Morocco is even cheaper than Tunisia and they are being fully sponsored by the federation. The game of volleyball is now gaining popularity at the grassroots and keeps getting huge followership as the days go by. The league is still going to take place, we pray it is successful,” Nimrod said.
Recently, Nigeria U20 men team returned from their continental championship after finishing fourth.
