Nigeria’s Rofiat Mustapha and Esther Mbah lost to Mozambique Muianga and Sinaportar 0-2 (9-21, 13-21) in the third place match on Monday.

Despite losing the third place match, coach of Nigeria beach volleyball team, Kayode Ajilore commended the resilient spirit of the girls.

Ajilore said the initial plan of Team Nigeria was to enter into the finals but returning home without a medal is painful.

He said, “I am happy with the fighting spirit of Esther Mbah and Rafiat Mustapha throughout the championship; they performed above my expectations.

“Before departing the country, our benchmark was to reach the finals in either the men’s or women’s team. Returning home without a medal is painful but I must commend the girls for giving their opponents good fights in the semifinals and third place match.

“This is the first time Rafiat Mustapha and Esther Mbah will be pairing in an African Championship and I am optimistic they will win laurels for the country in subsequent championship”, he added.

The Nigeria Beach Volleyball Commission has revealed that the “Beach Volleyball Tour” will officially kick off in July.

In a statement signed by Hon Famous Daunemigha, Chairman Media and Publicity of Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), the first phase of the Beach Tour serves off from 5th to 9th July, 2022 in Yola, Adamawa State.

Hon Daunemigha revealed that in application of the regular Beach Volleyball (BVB) Regulations, participating teams must complete three phases of the tours.

The South South Representative on the board of NVBF said the tour is to improve the standard of the game in the country.

He said, “The Nigeria Beach Volleyball Commission has approved the hosting of the Beach Volleyball Tour (first phase) in Yola, Adamawa State. For some years, the beach volleyball commission has consistently hosted 1 national beach volleyball championship and we feel it has become necessary to have more national championships.

“In the last two Olympic Beach Volleyball Qualifiers, Nigeria women’s team have always narrowly lost the slot in the finals and we do not want a repeat of this in the future.

“The board believes with the beach volleyball tours, the level and standard of beach volleyball will improve exponentially in the country”.

Nigeria and Benin Republic beach volleyball teams have qualified for the 2022 African Youth Games on Sunday.

Nigeria beat Niger Republic 2-0 (21-13, 22-20) in the boy’s match to complete their unbeaten run at the just concluded 2022 Zone III African Youth Games Qualification Beach Volleyball held at Mobee Palace, Badagry, Lagos state.

In the girl’s category, Nigeria beat Benin Republic twice 2-0 (21-14, 21-11) and 2-0 (21-8, 21-8) to garner 8 points and make it to the African Youth Games.

Nigeria boy’s team finished top with 12 points followed by Benin Republic in second with 9 points. Niger Republic placed third with 6 points while Ivory Coast occupied fourth position with 3 points.

The Secretary General of Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) Zone III, Engineer Musa Nimrod commended the participating teams for making qualification a success.

He hailed the Mobee of Badagry for providing the beach volleyball facilities and crowd support during the qualifiers.

Nimrod who is the President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation said, “The 2022 Zone III African Youth Games Qualification Beach Volleyball was successful and I want to thank the Mobee of Badagry for providing the facilities and the people of Badagry are great; CAVB Zone III executives want to thank the countries that participated.

“It is not a surprise that Nigeria qualified for the African Youth Games and we will put in a lot of effort because the games proper is not easy. The coaches have seen the weaknesses of the players; the Federation will begin the Beach Tour in July and it will strengthen the players.”, Nimrod revealed.

He said, “Benin, Nigeria and Niger Republic are good in Beach Volleyball as far as i am concerned; I want to thank Ivory Coast for making it to the qualifiers. it is a great experience and i am optimistic the qualifiers will make Ivory Coast take beach volleyball serious”.

Nigeria has qualified for the Semifinals of the ongoing Tokyo Beach Volleyball Qualifiers in the women’s category.

Nigeria beat Gambia in the Golden match 2-0 (21-10, 21-12) after both teams won a game each.

In the first game, Gambia beat Nigeria 2-1 (24-22, 13-21, 15-13) before Nigeria Team B consisting of Albertina Francis and Tochukwu Nnoruga beat Gambia 2-0 (21-13, 21-16) in a one side match.

Nigeria is two steps away from the Tokyo Olympics.

The 1st ever Hon Famous Daunemigha Beach Volleyball Championship was held at West Itam Sports Centre in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Saturday.

Rivers state beat Trailblazers 2-0 (21-15, 21-8) to win the U21 girls category while Delta state defeated Cobra 2-0 (21-18, 21-18) to win the U21 boys category.

The captain of Rivers State Girls team, Blessing Kingsley told journalist that winning gold medal at the championship will spur her to put more effort in beach volleyball.

Kingsley commended the orgainsers of the championship for organizing such magnitude of championship in the South South appealing Hon Famous Daunemigha to continue sponsoring the championship yearly.

She said, “This is my first time of playing on a beach volleyball court and I give God the glory for making me win my first beach volleyball Gold medal. I want to appreciate my coach for encouraging me to venture into beach volleyball and this medal will make me put more effort in the sport.

“I want to say a big thank you to the orgainsers of this successful championship; everyone is very excited because it has been a long time we witnessed this magnitude of championship”

Meanwhile, the sponsor of the U21 Beach Volleyball Championship, Hon Famous Daunemigha assured athletes and coaches of regular championship in the South South region.

Hon Daunemigha said he is impressed by the turnout of the athletes and spectators adding that sports can be used as a means to curb social vices in the society.

BY Spikers finished third in the U21 Girls event while promising Team Williams placed third position in the U21 boy’s event at the just Hon Famous Daunemigha U21 South South Boys and Girls Beach Volleyball Championship.

Team Kada emerged champions in the U18 Girls, U19 Boys and men’s senior at the just concluded 2021 President Beach Volleyball Cup in Kaduna.

Kada Emeralds beat Pro Spikers of Lokoja 2-0 (21-14, 21-19) to win gold in the U18 Girls event while Goldening Spikers of Anambra zoomed pass Sokoto 2-0 (21-15, 21-13) to win bronze medal.

Kada Kings shocked Pro Spikers of Lokoja as they came back from a game down to win gold medal in the U19 Boys category. Kada Kings won the game 2-1 (19-21, 21-8, 15-10) in front of their home fans while Zamfara placed third position beating Borno 2-0 (21-12, 21-12).

Kada Kings beat NSCDC 2-1 (21-19, 21-23, 15-13) to emerge new champions in the men’s category.

The duo of Jasper Peter and Austin Uche (Kada Kings) proved to be the better side against highly rated Godwin Shekerau and Andrew Sunday of NSCDC.

Kada Kings won the first set by 21-19 after giving NSCDC a good fight but lost the second set by 21-23 due to continuous errors. NSCDC took the lead in the third set but Kada Kings came from behind to win the third set by 15-13.

An elated Jasper Peter of Kada Kings told newsmen that winning the President Cup is a major boost for younger players in the country.

Peter thanked the Chairman Caretaker Committee of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod for believing in the ability of the team.

Nigeria Immigration Service beat Nigeria Customs Service 2-0 (21-14, 21-17) to finish third place in the men’s category.

In the women’s senior category, Nigeria Customs Service retained their title after breezing pass Hasso Queens 2-0 (21-14, 21-17) in front of over 500 spectators. The second team of Nigeria Customs Service defeated NSCDC 2-0 (21-16, 21-12) to win third position.

The Chairman Caretaker Committee of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod said talented players will be discovered at this year’s President Beach Volleyball Cup.

The President Beach Volleyball Cup will take place from 16th to 20th May, 2021 in Kaduna.

Nimrod stated that the young players will stand a chance of meeting some of their iconic players and eventually play them at the championship.

He said some of the players who will represent Nigeria at the Olympic Qualifiers will take part at the event.

He said, “I am optimistic that new talents will be discovered at this year’s President Cup. Last year, we saw players who have never attended Beach Volleyball tournaments anywhere in the country put up some nice display.

“This year’s edition is going to be explosive because most players are hungry for competition after the pandemic denied them playing time”.

“The younger players stands a chance of meeting players who have represented the country at various international tournaments and will be a source of motivation to them”, he added.

Team Kaduna has emerged champions of the U17 North West Beach Volleyball Championship in the boys and girls category on Sunday.

In the boys final, Team Kaduna defeated Team Sokoto 2-1 (17-21, 21-19, 15-12), while Team Kaduna beat Team Katsina 2-0 (21-7, 21-14) in the girls final at the Ahamdu Bello Stadium.

Team Jigawa got a consolation bronze medal by beating Team Kastina 2-0 (21-19, 21-15) in the boys third place match while Team Sokoto defeated Team Jigawa 2-0 (21-11, 21-11) in the girls third place match.

Team Kaduna player, Bathsheba Joshua said winning her first major gold medal is a stepping stone to greatness for her.

She stated that the beach volleyball court made available by the President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod made it possible to train daily.

Joshua said, “I feel excited and happy to win my first gold medal in a national championship. This will be a stepping stone to my greatness and that of my partner; I hope we will be able to be a pair for a long time.

“The beach volleyball in Kaduna by our president made it possible for me to train daily. The court put I and my teammate in good shape and my prayer is for God to guide Engineer Musa Nimrod”.

Present at the North West Beach Volleyball Championship were; Director of Grassroots at the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ademola Are, Director of Sports in the North West, State Volleyball Chairmen in the North West, Sports Stakeholders in the North West amongst others.

Team Jigawa, Kaduna, Kastina and Sokoto are through to the boys Semi finals of the U17 North West Beach Volleyball Championship in Kaduna on Friday.

The U17 North West Zonal Beach Volleyball Championship is taking place at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.

Unbeaten Team Kaduna will take on Team Kastina in the first semifinals of the boys’ event, while Team Jigawa will slug it out with Team Sokoto in the second semifinals of the boys’ event.

In the group stage, Team Kaduna won all two matches against Team Sokoto and Team Kebbi. Team Jigawa, Team Kastina and Team Zamfara were tied at the same point after playing their group stage matches but the winners were decided by their minor points.

The President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Musa Nimrod expressed joy over the determination of the players during the matches.

Nimrod said the future of some of the players is bright in beach volleyball.

He said, “I am full of joy with what I witnessed at the U17 beach volleyball championship. The young players are playing with so much zeal and determination. In fact, I am overwhelmed with the skills exhibited by some of these young players.

“It is very clear that the future of some of these players at the beach volleyball championship is very bright. I hope they put more effort in the game and the rest is left for the technical department of the federation to handle”.