Nimrod told journalist in Abuja that the players representing the country at the African Nations Volleyball Championship are new crop of players.

He believes that the nation’s U19 Boys volleyball can better their previous 14th position and rank among the top 5 in the world.

He said, “Our desire is to represent Africa at the world championship; Nigeria is recognized in the U19 boys’ category and we want to be among the top 5 in the world. It is a gradual process and for record purposes, none of the players in camp are old players.

“Most of the players who participated at the last underage championships have moved on to the next national teams; that mean we have a new breed on U19 National team players.

“As a servant of the volleyball federation, I am pleased that we are not repeating players. If you see the U18 girls representing the country, they are young players and I am proud of them”.

He further said, “I want you to understand that this is not the first time Nigeria is participating. At the last edition of the U18 Girls, Nigeria finished fourth position in Kenya while for the U19 Boys, we are the defending champions. The Boys are planning to defend their title; do not forget in a hurry that the boys went the World Championship and we are ranked 14th. I am happy with the boys and girls; I know they will make the country proud.

He reemphasized that the federation has informed the participating countries of the strict COVID-19 guidelines adding that teams will undergo COIVD-19 test after the championship ends.

He said, “We have informed participating countries on the COVID-19 guidelines in Nigeria. Nigeria’s U18 girls and U19 boys have done their COVID-19 tests because it is one of the prerequisite of entering into the hall.

“On arrival all the teams must provide their certified COVID-19 but when they are departing the country, they must undergo the test here; they are all aware of the cost implications. COVID-10 test was conducted for all the players when they stormed camp last month, we do not have problem with our players who will represent the country”.

Nimrod commended the venue facilities team for transforming the hall which will be used for the U18/19 African Nations Volleyball Championship from 1st to 9th March, 2021.

He commended the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports for approving this competition as well as granting the venue.

Nimrod made the call after the successful completion of the maiden edition of the Kaduna Half Marathon on Saturday.
Nimrod who participated in the 5km race, said that if the training facility is set up in Mambilla, it will give Nigerian athletes comparative advantage and improve their skills.

He said, “This is a wake up call for the Federal Government of Nigeria to rehabilitate the Mambila facilities. In the past, the country had great Marathon athletes who trained in Mambila but it is now a shadow of itself.

“I have a strong feeling that if this is done, Nigeria athletes will give East African athletes a run for their money”.

The NVBF President said that he started running in marathons over fourty years ago and still runs 5km daily.

He commended the Kaduna State Government for organising the marathon as well as Nilayo Sports Management, while expressing confidence that the bold step is rewakening marathon competitions in the country.

“I started long distance race over 40 years ago and the half marathon race brought back memories of my younger days. I commend the state government for organising the race and I am optimistic this will have a positive effect on the state. Nilayo Sports Management also brought is wealth of experience in rebranding the marathon event here”.

On the Volleyball League which kicks off on today in Ilorin, he said it is a big event attracting teams from all over the country.

Under the administration of Eng Musa Nimrod, Nigeria U19 won gold in the Boys Volleyball event at the 2018 Youth African Games in Algiers, Algeria and qualified for the 2019 FIVB World U-19 Championship in Tunisia.

Due to the developmental programs by Nimrod, the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) deem it fit to seed the hosting rights of the 2019 U-21 men’s African Championship to Nigeria.

Nigeria participated at it’s first ever FIVB Snow Volleyball Championship in Bariloche, Rio Negro, Argentina. Nigeria’s Female Beach Volleyball Team qualified for 2019 World Beach Volleyball Championship in Hamburg Germany after the country hosted the 2019 Africa Beach Volleyball Championship (men and women) in Abuja.

Nigeria were awarded the hosting right for the 2020 Confederation of African Volleyball 2nd phase of beach volleyball where the women’s team qualified for the final round but stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are over 10 underage developmental programs under the sponsorship of Engineer Musa Nimrod across the Federation. In February 2020, the Federal Ministry of Sports in collaboration with Engineer Musa Nimrod hosted an U-17 girls tournament in Taraba where some potential athletes were discovered to fill in the gap of the outgoing U-17.

The Nigeria Volleyball Premier League was revived under the leadership of Eng Musa Nimrod and the 2018 and 2019 seasons where successful. The revived President Beach Volleyball Championship also produced players that represented the country at the men’s beach volleyball Olympic qualifiers.

Engineer Musa Nimrod has contributed to the development of beach volleyball and beach soccer in the North West region of Nigeria and organizing various Grassroots event in North Eastern region of the country.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nigeria Volleyball Federation led by Engineer Musa Nimrod donated palliatives to the 36 state associations including the FCT and Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Kaduna state.

The contributions of Engineer Musa Nimrod has gone unnoticed and it is time for the country to recognize him.