Talent Discovery Excites Technical Director

The Technical Director, Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Tony Oghuma has said that new talents have been discovered at the on-going 18th national sports festival.

He said in Lagos on Tuesday that from the matches played , new revelations have emerged from some states.

He said federation was closely monitoring the performance of the new talents and others yet to emerge.

‘’ So far, so good. What is important to me is the fact that we have had a lot of revelations here.

‘’ Young players have emerged and we have been able to identify them ,which is good for the federation.

‘’ To a large extent, I think the standard is high ,the standard is very high. But, I think, we can do better than this if a few things are put in place. One, we will see better volleyball at play, if the national sports festival is open to all volleyball players in Nigeria.

‘’ You will find that, what you are seeing are just the beginners in the game. Our elite players, most of them do not have festival again, and as such, you can’t find them here,’’ he said.

Oghuma suggested that future national sports festivals be thrown open to enable the elite players compete with others.

He said the inability of elite players to compete because of the law restricting athletes who had taken part in three festivals, had affected the game.

The Technical Director said after the festival, emphasis would be placed on grassroots talent hunt and the need to sponsor more national volleyball championships.

‘’ Talents are bound in Nigeria. Our only problem is to have the opportunity to showcase them, by way of organising competitions.

‘’ That is why we have been pleading with Nigerians that are blessed with good finances, to come to the Nigeria Volleyball Federation to partner with us to sponsor championships ,so that these young stars can have an opportunity , to showcase their talents,’’ he said.