Sports
Nigeria Beach Volleyball Targets 2016 Olympics
Chairman of the Beach Volleyball Commission of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Musa Nimrod has said that the federation’s aspiration for now is to appear at the 2016 Olympic Games.
Nimrod told newsmen in Abuja that there has been a fast-paced level of development in the Nigerian game in recent times.
“Beach volleyball is moving very fast in Nigeria, and it should now aspire to the next level, which is for us to be at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,’’ he said.
The NVBF board member said Nigeria’s fast rate of development in the game is manifested in its position on the continent and the country’s qualification for many world championships.
“We are number two in Africa currently, and no African country has produced as much as the number of under-age teams we have produced in recent times.
“We have teams in the under-19 and under-21 categories, and this is why we qualified last year for the World Youth Championship on Cyprus and the World Junior Championship in Canada,’’ he said.
Nimrod said the Nigerian senior team was also at the African championship last year in Mauritius, finishing behind South Africa and Angola.
“We really have good teams, as we have recorded lots of achievements over the years. We, however, hope to have lots of competitions and other programmes to complement this, for us to appear at the Rio Games,’’ he said.
The NVBF Beach Volleyball Commission chairman said the game had been further helped by its sponsorship by Samsung Electronics Nigeria.
“Samsung’s sponsorship is wonderful, and it has made the game here to be at a high-level, and we are indeed grateful to the company,’’ he said.
Nimrod pointed at the company’s sponsorship package for the second edition of the Samsung Electronics Male and Female Beach Volleyball Championship to buttress his point.
“Samsung’s sponsorship is great, and it has put the competition at par with the likes of those popular competitions we have worldwide.
“For example, the Monte Carlo event winners go with 2,000 U.S dollars, while the Samsung event in Abuja here has N150,000 for the winners,’’ he said.
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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