Sports
Nigeria To Host Volleyball Championships
The Zone 3 President, Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB), Paul Atchoe, yesterday said that Nigeria was ready to stage the 3rd CAVB Club Championships scheduled to hold in Lagos.
Atchoe told Tidesports source that four countries with 11 teams would compete for honours at the competition biled for the University of Lagos, Akoka Volleyball Hall from April 14 to April 18.
“We are happy that Nigeria has taking up the responsibility to organise the competition which promises to be exciting and very competitive.
“Already we have the teams from three other countries, Ghana, Togo and Benin Republic ready to battle for the championships’ title.
“The essence of this competition is to bring member states together and get them busy and also to create more awareness for the development of the sport.
“We also intend to use the competition as qualifications to pick the best two teams for the CAVB Africa Championships’ coming up later in the year,’’ Atchoe said.
He added that Nigeria was hosting the competition for the second time and was proud of the passion shown by the country’s Volleyball Federation to stage another event.
“This will be Nigeria’s opportunity for hosting the competition second time out because they have shown the big brother character of always coming to our rescue.
“The championships first held in 2015 in Cote D’Ivoire but due to financial constraints could not be hosted by any member country until Nigeria came to help out last year.
“We want to keep volleyball very active in our zone because we know we have abundant talents ready to draw the positive attention for the sport.
“We want to use the competition to develop our youths and create awareness for the sport in Zone 3, this is why as member countries we task ourselves on organising events,’’ Atchoe said.
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, which began with the first phase in Benin City months ago, before the second phase in Lagos which ends with a finale that the Executive Chairman of Ardova PLC, Dr. Abdulwasiu Sowami, ably represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Ardova PLC, Mrs Abiola Babatunde-Ojo, described as delightful to watch in her speech.
For Safety Shooters, it was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches while Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant team, not just in the women’s category but in the history of handball premier league in Nigeria.
In the Men’s Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2.
Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.
The organisers of the Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters Tournament have earmarked N4 million as the prize money for this year’s edition.
?The Chairman of the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, Diran Famakinwa, stated this at a briefing, highlighting the activities for the second edition of the tournament.
?The tournament, which is in collaboration with MegaMound Investment Limited, is endorsed by the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
?According to Famakinwa, the male and female champions will receive N500,000 each, while the runners-up in both categories will go home with the sum of N350,000 each, with the remaining money to be shared among the semi-finalists and other participants.
?Sixteen players, which includes the eight top ?male and eight top female players, will feature in the one-week event, which started on December 5, and run till Saturday, December 13.
?The female final will be held on Friday, December 12, while the male final will take up on Saturday, December 13.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NSC described the defender as “Captain Fantastic” and praised his decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, highlighting a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty.
“After a decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty,” the NSC stated.
The commission noted that, as one of the most capped defenders in Super Eagles history with 83 international appearances since his debut in 2015, Troost-Ekong served as a pillar of leadership across multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns.
“His exceptional outing at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and was named Player of the Tournament, remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a defender in AFCON history,” the NSC added.
The statement further emphasised that Troost-Ekong’s “Nigeria first” mindset, discipline and exemplary conduct set a standard for the next generation of athletes, with his influence within the national team extending beyond the pitch to inspire unity, resilience and professionalism among his teammates.
Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong has dismissed rumours that he was forced to retire by the country’s football administrators as punishment for leading a revolt against the NFF.
The 32-year-old’s announcement came less than a month before the AFCON, and he was named in the 54-man preliminary list. His decision sparked speculation, particularly as he had led a strike in protest against unpaid bonuses during the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
One fan speculated on social media, suggesting that Troost-Ekong was pressured to quit after exposing the NFF. The Al Khoolood defender offered a sharp retort, establishing that he unilaterally made the decision to retire.
“Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way,” he wrote on X.
The NSC concluded by wishing Troost-Ekong the very best in the next chapter of his career and commending him for representing Nigeria with honour.
-
Politics3 days agoWhy Reno Omokri Should Be Dropped From Ambassadorial List – Arabambi
-
Sports3 days agoNigeria, Egypt friendly Hold Dec 16
-
Politics3 days agoPDP Vows Legal Action Against Rivers Lawmakers Over Defection
-
Oil & Energy3 days agoNCDMB Unveils $100m Equity Investment Scheme, Says Nigerian Content Hits 61% In 2025 ………As Board Plans Technology Challenge, Research and Development Fair In 2026
-
Sports3 days agoNSC hails S’Eagles Captain Troost-Ekong
-
Politics3 days agoRIVERS PEOPLE REACT AS 17 PDP STATE LAWMAKERS MOVE TO APC
-
Sports3 days agoMakinde becomes Nigeria’s youngest Karate black belt
-
Politics3 days agoWithdraw Ambassadorial List, It Lacks Federal Character, Ndume Tells Tinubu