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”.

The Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) nominated Nigeria after witnessing series of developmental programs in the West Africa country.

According to CAVB, the U18 Championship was moved to next year due to the ongoing global covid-19 pandemic and the impact it has had in the organisation of the 2020 scheduled FIVB Qualification Tournaments including the Continental 2020 Age Group Competitions.

CAVB said, “FIVB has extended the deadline for continental qualifiers for the 2021 FIVB Volleyball Age Group World Championships to 28 February 2021”.

The President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod hailed CAVB for nominating Nigeria to host the U18 girls African Nation Cup.

He revealed that the federation will ensure the country host the best ever age grade competition.

Nimrod said, “I want to thank Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) for deeming it fit to nominate Nigeria for this Championship. One of the cardinal point of my administration is to give the younger players the opportunity to showcase their talent and I am excited the Continental body is giving us the opportunity to encourage the younger players more.

“My board will ensure we host a hitch free and set a standard that will be difficult to beat in terms of hosting the U18 girls Championship. Those who witnessed the 2019 African Beach Volleyball Championship men and women in Abuja can testify to the level of organization”

CAVB Age Group competition Schedule:

Women U20 Uganda, Kampala 4 to 13 December 2020

Girls U18 Nigeria, Abuja 29 January to 7 February 2021

Boys U19 Tunisia, Tunis 1 to 6 February 2021

Men U21 Egypt, Cairo 18 to 26 February 2021