Sports

Abuja invitational Volleyball Challenge kick-off in grand style in Abuja

Published

4 years ago

March 12, 2023

…As 50 teams rumbles
Joel Ajayi

It was a top notch excitements inside the MKO Abiola National stadium package B where 50 grassroots teams comprised of 25 Male and 25 Female are participating at the 2nd edition of Abuja invitational Volleyball Challenge 2023.

It will be recalled that the organizer before the commencement of the event revealed that, the 2023 Abuja Invitational Volleyball Challenge is purely a development volleyball championship.

Truly Speaking, the ambiance inside the Abuja stadium was nothing but an assembly of raw talents waiting for the opportunity and players of different club were showing their skills.

For the first time in the history Volleyball a total number of 37 games played in the Day 1 of the event.

Speaking during the game The international Referee volleyball Sheba Jefferson expressed excitement saying this year edition is going to be massive event as 50 teams are going to participate in the 5 days tournament.

“As you can see it’s a grassroots event, it’s not meant for the League players and the aim is to produce the new players and motivate them to reach their goals
“This championship is one of the Volleyball Federation program where players will be discover nurture and achieve their goals in life.”

Some of the results of the Day 1 games as follows:

In male categories, KAF Ambassador lose to Life Camp Volleyball team of Abuja 2-0, 15 25, 15 25,
While Rhino VC of Jos lose to Solid VC 2-1 with 17 25, 26 24, 12-15
Super Strike SSVC kotongura, beats Biyonet VC of Jaji Kaduna 2-0 with 30 28, 25 23.
Stingy Bees could be beat NAF as force team defeated them 2-1, with 11-25, 25 13, 15 17.
In the Female category; Nile university was beaten by Games village 0-2 with 22 25, 23 25 in the two set.

Offa VC defeated Super Stars 2-0 with 25 16, 25 16.
As Solid VC lose 2-0 to Scorpions 2-0 with 18 25, 16 25.
However the games continues on Monday where teams will be squaring each other’s in fierce battle.

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Sports

Flamingos’ Historic World Cup Feat Draws Musawa’s Commendation

Published

20 hours ago

November 8, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat to claim Nigeria’s first title in the competition and make history as the first African nation to win the tournament.

Awawu Bashiru gave Nigeria the lead in the 39th minute before Oluebube Umejiaku extended the advantage two minutes after the restart. Japan’s Fuki Ito reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, but the Nigerian girls held on to secure a memorable victory.

In a congratulatory message was signed by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister, Nneka Ikem Anibeze on Sunday in Abuja, Musawa described the achievement as a defining moment for Nigeria and a significant milestone for African women’s football, attributing the success to the team’s resilience, talent and determination.

“This is more than a trophy. It is a story of young Nigerian girls who refused to give up, who rose after defeat, and who carried the hopes of a continent to the top of the world,” she said.

The Minister noted that the Flamingos had broken new ground by becoming the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Nigeria also became the first African country to win both the men’s and women’s U-17 World Cup titles.

The team further achieved another remarkable feat by becoming the first side in the competition’s history to lose its opening match and eventually emerge champions.

Despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Poland in their opening group-stage encounter, the Flamingos recovered impressively, recording six consecutive victories to lift the trophy.

Musawa particularly praised Umejiaku, who claimed the tournament’s Golden Ball award as the best player, and Bashiru for their crucial contributions in the final.

She also commended the entire squad for their discipline, teamwork and determination throughout the competition.

According to her, the victory demonstrates the creativity, courage and excellence of Nigerian youths on the global stage.

The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to celebrating and promoting the achievements and inspiring stories of young Nigerians who continue to bring honour to the country.

“Our girls have shown the world what Nigeria is made of. We celebrate you today, and we will continue to stand with you,” she added.

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