Nigeria Handball Men’s Senior International, Obinna Anih has joined Zenit St Petersburg HC from Don Cossacks-Sfedu of Russia.

The former Benue Buffaloes handball player, Obinna Anih officially become the first Nigerian handball player to play in the Russian Handball League.

Anih promised to justify his signing and add more firepower to the Zenit St Petersburg side.

He said, “I am short of words because I never saw this coming. Signing for Zenit St Petersburg is a big deal for me and my family while becoming the first Nigerian to play in the Russian League is a bigger deal. I want to say thank you lord for the opportunity given to me.

“I want to say that I am beginning to fulfil my dreams in the game of handball. I have played in the Nigeria, Morocco and Israel. Moving to a top club in Russia means I have got the potentials.

He said coming to the club will add more strength to the team adding that he has no regrets since becoming a player.

Anih said, “I have full confidence and a big feeling that my addition to the team will strengthen every department on the court. I am coming to add more strength and by the grace of God all my efforts will not be in vain.

By Kuti Dare

Congratulations to the good people of Kaduna state especially the ‘working’ Governor, Mallam Nasiru El Rufai as Kaduna won two gold medals in the volleyball and beach volleyball (men) events at the just concluded 21st National Sports Festival in Asaba, Delta State.

Not only did Kaduna state win two gold medals in the volleyball and beach volleyball (men), the state finished second in the women’s beach volleyball event behind Edo state.

Kaduna state would have lost out if they did not participate in these events as the quick intervention of the State Government led by Mallam Nasiru El Rufai ensured the state featured in the 21st National Sports Festival.

The success story of the volleyball and beach volleyball teams will not be complete without mentioning the name of Engineer Musa Nimrod who doubles as the Chairman of Kaduna State Volleyball Association. 14 years after winning Gold meda (in the men’s volleyball event) at the 2008 National Sports Festival tagged ‘Kada Games’, Engineer Musa Nimrod through his selfless service puts the map of the state on the world again as Kaduna state struck twice again.

Engineer Musa Nimrod has invested huge resources in the development of players in the state, took children off the streets and made them National and African Champions. It is on record that 10 out of the 12 players that featured in the men’s volleyball event made their debut at the 21st National Sports Festival while the gold medallist in the men’s beach volleyball event are making their second appearance in the beach volleyball event at the National Sports Festival.

Before the commencement of the men’s volleyball event, Ogun state and Delta state were fanced to win the volleyball event due to the highly experienced players paraded by both teams but Kaduna stole the show with younger players that started their career in beach volleyball. These winnings at the National Sports Festival is a manifestation of Engineer Musa Nimrod belief in giving the younger generation the platform and opportunity to showcase their God given talents.

Kaduna State Governor, His Excellency Mallam Nasiru El Rufai should use the Chairman of Kaduna State Volleyball Association, Engineer Musa Nimrod as a role model for others to emulate. Nimrod should be seen as an ambassador of sports in Kaduna state who has used sports to alleviate, librate as well as take youths off the street of Kaduna.

It might interest His Excellency that Kaduna state youths have attended various African and World Volleyball Championship through sports. Currently, the Zone 3 U17 Beach Volleyball Boy’s and Girl’s Champion are Nigerians from Kaduna state

Your Excellency sir, the time is overdue for Engineer Musa Nimrod to receive an award, commendation as well as recognition for his investment in sports. Kaduna state is blessed to have such a reputable sports administrator in the state.

God bless Mallam Nasiru El Rufai,
God bless Kaduna state and
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Kaduna state beat Ogun state 3-2 (25-21, 24-26, 25-23, 17-25, 15-13) to win gold in the men’s volleyball event at the 2022 National Sports Festival in Delta State on Friday.

Kaduna state produced an outstanding performance against Ogun state who were unbeaten till the final match.

Kaduna surprisingly took the first set by 25 to 21 points in a set that saw the Ogun players struggle to get their rhythm. The second set produced a spectacular display from both sides as Ogun won by 26 to 24 points.

The young Kaduna players held Ogun state ransom in the third set 25 to 23 points before Ogun came back from behind to win the fourth set by 25-17. Kaduna finally cruised to victory in the fifth set winning by 15 to 13 points.

The Coach of Kaduna men’s team, Adamu Nitte expressed delight over the win against highly rated Ogun state.

Nitte revealed that most pundits did not give Kaduna state the chance of winning the finals adding that the Ogun team crushed all their opponents before entering into the finals.

He said 10 players out of the squad are making their debut at the National Sports Festival.

He said, “I am overwhelmed and cannot express myself because I am overfilled with joy. Kaduna was not the favourite to win the National Sports Festival but God is our strength and fortress.

“Ogun state is a very good side looking at their statistics but my boys did not respect them. 10 of my players are playing the National Sports Festival for the first time and this win will further boost their profile”.

He commended the Chairman of Kaduna State Volleyball Association, Engineer Musa Nimrod for believing in the team.

Meanwhile, Rivers State beat Kano state to win the men’s bronze at the 2022 National Sports Festival.

The Coordinator of Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Spikers Volleyball Teams, Commodore Aliyu Pindar has dedicated the National Volleyball League Championship Trophies to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (CFR).

CNS Spikers women’s team won the National Division 1 Volleyball League while the men’s team lifted the National Division 2 Volleyball League on Friday.

Pindar told journalists that the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (CFR) motivated the players and provided all the necessary logistics for them to excel.

The Chairman of FCT Volleyball Association revealed that the first step taken was to invite players for long camping exercise before exposing them to championships.

He said, “When the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (CFR) came on board; he promised to reposition sports in the Nigerian Navy due to the long period of inactivities in sports in the Nigerian Navy over the years. Today, i beat my chest and say that the CNS has fulfilled his promise as our Sportsmen and Sportswomen are actively participating and representing States and Clubsides in National competitions/leagues in various sporting activities such as Volleyball, Football, Boxing, Judo/karate, Swimming, Polo, among others”.

“We give gratitude to the Chief of Naval Staff for the motivation, encouragement and unflinching support to the players. You can see the quality of the young players we brought in and have given them hope to know that there is prospect in the game of Volleyball”.

“Our success is also attributed to early camping and participation in various competitions. You could recall that based on the performance of CNS Spikers women’s team at the Kontagora championship, our team was nominated to represent Nigeria at the 2021 African Club Championship in Tunisia where the team made its first debut and defeated some notable teams from other African countries from Ethiopia & Cote D’IVoire despite appearing for the first time. We were proud because the last time a volleyball team from the Armed Forces was nominated to represent Nigeria was in 1984, that is 38 years ago. But the CNS Spikers Volleyball team has been able to break that jinx. The CNS Spikers Volleyball Club is prepared to represent the country again at international volleyball championships”.

“Today you can see the quality of players we paraded in the male and female categories which led to us winning the National Leagues (Division 1 and 2) topping. CNS Spikers volleyball teams were unbeaten in the first and second phase of the National Leagues; no team was able to beat them.

Pindar said CNS Spikers volleyball teams are ready for the challenge ahead in next year’s Nigeria Volleyball Premier League and National Division 1 Volleyball League.

He said, “The female team has moved to the Nigeria Volleyball Premier League while the male team has moved to Division 1. We are still going to beef up the teams and I can bet you that once we get to the Premier League, no team will be able to withstand us.

CNS Spikers won seven individual awards and they include: Most Valuable Player (male), Best Libero (male), Best blocker (male), Best Setter (male), Best Libero (female), Best blocker (female) and Best spiker (female).

The Chairman of Nigeria Park Volleyball Commission, Major General Taritimiye Gagariga has donated balls to teams participating at this year’s National Division 1 and 2 Volleyball Leagues in Kaduna.

Maj Gen Gagariga made the donation after the match between Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Spikers and Yelwa VC at the indoor sports hall of Ahmadu Bello Stadium on Tuesday.

He expressed happiness over the high rate of young players participating at the National Division 1 and 2 Volleyball Leagues.

Gagariga said, “The balls donated today are to encourage all the teams in the league. I have been monitoring the league and I observed that most of the players are relatively unknown while few of them have exposure at National Championship.

“I will continue to lay emphasis on the grassroots because their are so many young players that are yet to be unveiled. The coaches are trying there best and we will continue to support them in our own little way.”

Gagariga commended the players for exhibiting high level of discipline on and off the court at the ongoing league.

He said, “Volleyball is a game of discipline and I am happy all the players have exhibited high level of professionalism during the games.

“I am wishing all the teams that are going to gain promotion into the various leagues success”.

The President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod has congratulated Nigeria U19 Boys Volleyball Team for qualifying for the U19 FIVB Boys’ World Championship in 2023 after their emphatic final victory against Egypt 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 31-29) at the just concluded U19 Boys African Nations Volleyball Championship in Morocco on Sunday

Nigeria U19 Boys are back to back champions of the U19 Boys African Nations Volleyball Championship

Nimrod lauded the performance of the players throughout the championship as well as the technical crew for their efforts in ensuring Nigeria remains champions.

The Secretary General of Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) Zone 3 says he looks forward to the next generation of upcoming stars, who through hard work, discipline, resilience and determination, will one day win the World Cup for Nigeria.

He said, “I am impressed with the performance of the team throughout the championship and for maintaining its dominant posture as defending champions of the U19 Boys African Nations Volleyball Championship. The technical crew have also shown their abilities to interpret games during crucial periods.

“Having won the tournament twice in 2020 and 2022, under this board, I am assuring you of the board’s total support as well as the volleyball community.

“Nigeria is the first Sub Saharan African country to win the Championship twice and attended the World Championship twice. It is my prayers that this current crop of players will surpass the 14 position placed by the previous teams”

Nigeria U19 Boys Team will be attending their third FIVB World Championship in 2023 under the leadership of Musa Nimrod

The President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod has hailed Nigeria U21 Men’s team for booking a place in the semifinals of the 2022 African U21 Men’s Nation’s Volleyball Championship.

Nigeria defeated Libya 3-2 (25-20, 18-25, 25-20, 22-25, 15-8) in a highly tense quarterfinal on Friday.

Nimrod said the players exhibited a high level of resilience on the court adding that the Federation members are proud of their exploits.

He said “I want to commend the players for qualifying for the semifinals of the U21 Nation’s Championship in Tunisia. When Nigeria hosted the U21 Nations Championship four years ago, we could not qualify for the next round. I am a happy man today that the team has surpassed their last outing.

“I monitored the match and all I could see were boys who were ready to make the nation proud. They exhibited a high level of discipline, maturity and resilience in the face of stiff opposition for the intimidating crowd. The coaching crew also showed their tactical abilities by winning the fifth set despite pressures”

The Secretary General of Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) Zone 3 charged the players to go all out in their semifinal match against Cameroon/Egypt.

He said, “Show no respect to any team in the semifinals; they may be good but we are better. The 2023 FIVB U21 Men’s Ticket is in your hands and the Nigeria Volleyball Federation will support you when you secure the ticket”.

The sponsor of Nimrod6Nineteen Talent Hunt, Engineer Musa Nimrod has charged volleyball coaches across the country to meaningfully engage youths in their various community and spread the news of volleyball in schools.

Nimrod stated this during the closing ceremony of the Nimrod6Nineteen Talent Hunt at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium (ABS), Kaduna state on Sunday.

Nimrod who doubles as the President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) revealed that in the past, the country possesses tall players like Tony Oghuma, Thomas Aroko, Dennis Eleri, Emmanuel Jatto and many others but there is a huge gap yet unfilled

The North West Zonal Representative on the board of NVBF advised coaches to visit schools in their various locations in order to identify players who are above 6ft.

He said, “I am using this medium to call on Nigeria Volleyball Coaches in the country to engage our youths through volleyball. You will discover these days that most children are not interested in sporting activities due to their school calendar. The only way to bring their mind back is by going to schools and identify these talents.

“If you go to North Africa, most of their players are above 6ft and we all saw that during the U19 and U21 African Volleyball Championship Nigeria hosted. In the 80’s, 90’s and early 2000, Nigeria had tall and intimidating players but the narrative is different. This is a wake up call to coaches and stakeholders that we need to do more”.

Nimrod advised the young players of Nimrod6Nineteen Talent Hunt not to relent in their training after they get to their various destination.

He said, “The coaches that handled you during the Nimrod6Nineteen Talent Hunt are some of the best handlers in the country. Do not relent when you get to your various destination because they have given you solid background knowledge of the basics of volleyball”.

Meanwhile, the Head Coach of COAS Spikers, Elishama Elam commended the players for their commitments and dedication during the exercise.

Elam said the some players have the potentials of becoming good players if given the necessary attention at their various training centers

The coaches engaged during the Nimrod6Nineteen Talent Hunt includes; the Chairman of Nigeria Volleyball Coaches Association, Elishama Elam, the Head Coach of Nigeria Correctional Service, Adamu Nitte and the Head Coach of Kada Emeralds, Vincent Unogwu.

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”.

The President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod has congratulated the newly elected executives of Nigeria Athletes Commission (NAC).

Former D’Tigers Captain, Olumide Oyedeji was elected as the Chairman of Nigeria Athletes Commission (NAC), while Henry Okorie, Players Representative on the board of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Emmanuel Jatto and Blessing Onyali were elected on Tuesday.

Nimrod charged the newly elected executives of NAC to use their position for the betterment of athletes across all sports.

He urged the members to sensitize athletes on the disadvantage of using ban substance while competing for the country.

Nimrod said, “I am congratulating the executives of Nigeria Athletes Commission on their successful election and we hope more sports will qualify to Paris 2024 Olympic during your tenure.

“Olumide Oyedeji is an elite athlete who have traveled round the globe though sports and I am confident the Nigeria Athletes Commission will witness a huge turn around.

“This is also the time for the executives to educate and sensitize their top athletes as well as junior athletes on the dangers of using ban substance. It is our desire that the flag of Nigeria is hoisted during medal presentation at international championship”, he added

The Secretary General of Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) Zone 3 told the executive to preach oneness to every athletes competing for the country.