Sports
NVBF Names 15 Players For African Women Volleyball Championship
The Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) has announced the names of 15 players to represent the country at the forthcoming African Women Nations Cup in Cameroon.
The tournament, otherwise known as the African Women’s Volleyball Championship, is scheduled to hold between Saturday and Oct. 15.
Kehinde Lamidi, the Chairman of NVBF’s Media and Publicity Committee, said in a statement that the team was expected to leave Nigeria on yesterday for Cameroon.
Lamidi said the qualifiers would determine Africa’s representative at the 2018 Women’s World Cup in Japan.
“The Nigerian team will feature alongside other countries such as hosts Cameroon, Algeria, Ghana and Cape Verde.
“Others are Egypt, Botswana, Tunisia, Chad, Congo DR, Kenya, Zambia and Senegal,” he said.
In the statement, the team’s Head Coach, Usman Abdalah, said Nigeria was parading youthful players whom he believed were capable of making the nation proud by winning the World Cup ticket.
The team list has Ladi Jalmet, Verere Oyearone, Theresa Okonma, Aisha Umaru, Chinenye Nwosu, Esther Dusu, Albertina Francis, Mercy Promise, Agera Prescilia, and Francisca Ikhiede.
The rest of the players are Comfort Amaonwu, Kelechi Iwobi, Mary John and Mary Ali.
Oyearone and Promise are the only foreign-based players invited by Abdallah to fortify the team.
Meanwhile, the President of NVBF, Musa Nimrod, has lauded the efforts of the Federation’s Technical Committee in the team selection process.
He charged the players and coaches to be good ambassadors of the country at the championship.
“I have confidence in the team winning a World Cup ticket in Cameroon, having done well in the previous qualifiers,” Nimrod said.
He assured the players of the Federation’s continued support for the team.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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