The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dar, has approved the hosting of Africa U-18 girls Volleyball Championship billed for Abuja in January 2021.
The ministerial approval, according to a statement signed by Chairman Media and Publicity Nigerian Volleyball Federation, Kehinde Lamidi, however excludes sponsoring the tournament as NVBF has been asked to seek sponsors.
“Federal ministry of youth and sports development has approved the request of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation to host the 2021 African nations girls U-18 age group volleyball championship scheduled to be held at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Package B Abuja from 29th of January and 7th of February, 2021.
“A letter from the ministry signed by the Permanent Secretary, Gabriel Aduda, informed the Federation to look for sponsorship to host the continental tournament as the ministry cannot afford to assist due to the paucity of funds.
“Meanwhile, in preparing the female national team for the continental championship, the federation is organising an open trials, with the players under the age bracket expected to converge on Ahmadu Bello stadium in Kaduna on the 10th to 13th of December to enable the coaches select players that will be invited to the national camp.
“For the continental championship, the Federation has put all machineries in place to ensure a successful hosting of the tournament with special reference to the strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocols,” he said.
The president of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Musa Nimrod, told newsmen in Abuja that the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) knows that Nigeria is always setting pace in organising continental championship hence its resolve to give Nigeria the hosting right.
Aside the hosting, the federation President expressed optimism on Nigeria’s female team performance at the tournament held in Abuja.
