President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod, has expressed satisfaction with the rapid growth of beach volleyball in the country, saying Nigeria is producing a new generation of talented players capable of sustaining the sport's development and competing at the highest level.
Speaking in Kaduna at the conclusion of the 2026 open beach volleyball tour/star for men and women championship, Nimrod commended the organisers, technical officials and young athletes for their commitment and competitive spirit.
“I am very happy with what I have seen. The level of interest from Nigerians, including on social media, has been encouraging. The Referees Commission and all members of the organising committee have done a wonderful job,” he said.
The NVBF president noted that the championship has provided an opportunity to discover emerging talents who could represent Nigeria in future international competitions.
“These young players are very competitive, and I am pleased that we already have athletes who can take over from the current generation. Our grassroots development programme is yielding results,” he stated.
Nimrod disclosed that Nigeria is fully prepared for the forthcoming Zone 3 Nations Beach Volleyball Championship, stressing that both the men's and women's teams have already secured qualification for continental competitions.
According to him, the championship is being hosted to provide additional qualification opportunities for countries within the zone while strengthening the sport's development in the region.
“We are well prepared. Our teams are in camp, and despite financial challenges, we are committed to ensuring adequate preparation for our athletes,” he said.
The federation boss added that efforts are ongoing to secure the necessary resources to enable Nigerian teams participate effectively in upcoming international engagements.
African Beach Volleyball Tour Takes Shape
In what he described as a major breakthrough for the sport on the continent, Nimrod announced plans for the commencement of an African Beach Volleyball Tour.
Nimrod who is also he Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) Vice President said the initiative had received the endorsement of the continental volleyball leadership and would involve five African countries, including Nigeria.
“We are hopeful that, by the grace of God, the African Beach Volleyball Tour will commence soon. This is something many stakeholders have been advocating for, and we are pleased that it has now received the support of the continental body,” he revealed.
According to him, Nigeria will play a significant role in hosting part of the tour once the competition calendar is finalised.
Abuja Beach Court Near Completion
The volleyball administrator also disclosed that the construction of a dedicated beach volleyball court in Abuja is nearing completion.
Nimrod, who recently inspected the facility, expressed satisfaction with the pace of work and said the project would provide a modern venue for training and competitions.
“I visited the site and I am happy with the progress. The beach volleyball court is almost completed, and stakeholders are excited about what it will offer the sport,” he said.
Grassroots Programme Producing Results
The NVBF president attributed the recent successes recorded in Nigerian volleyball to sustained grassroots development initiatives and strategic partnerships with government agencies and sports stakeholders.
He praised the collaboration between the federation and relevant authorities, describing it as critical to talent discovery and athlete development.
According to him, the federation's grassroots programmes have produced a significant number of athletes who are now pursuing professional careers abroad.
“Today, we have more than 40 Nigerian volleyball players competing outside the country. When we assumed office about eight years ago, there were not more than three or five players playing professionally overseas,” Nimrod noted.
He particularly highlighted the progress made by female athletes, many of whom are currently playing in leagues across countries such as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
“I am especially happy with the achievements of our female players. Many of them came through our development programmes and are now playing professionally in different countries,” he added.
Commitment to Future Growth
Nimrod reaffirmed the federation's commitment to expanding volleyball development across the country through sustained investment in grassroots competitions, infrastructure and talent identification programmes.
He stressed that the future of Nigerian volleyball remains bright, with a growing pool of young athletes ready to represent the nation on the continental and global stage.
“The spirit among the players and officials is encouraging. We will continue to create opportunities for young talents because that is the only way to secure the future of volleyball in Nigeria,” he said.
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