Sports

Gov Bala Mohammed declares 2024 National Beach Volleyball Tour Open

Published

12 months ago

November 13, 2024

…Customs, Emeralds win first Match

The Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, on Tuesday officially declared the final phase of the 2024 National Beach Volleyball Star/Open Tour open.

Governor Mohammed, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Salis Gamawa, expressed the state’s commitment to becoming a hub for sports in Northern Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, Gamawa conveyed the Governor’s vision, saying, “This is the first time Bauchi State is hosting a beach volleyball tournament, and His Excellency, Governor Bala Mohammed, is committed to prioritizing sports development in the state.”

He continued, “Governor Mohammed is determined to transform Bauchi State into a sporting powerhouse, one that will be the envy of not just other states, but countries across the world.”

Highlighting the state’s sporting achievements, Gamawa shared, “Bauchi State’s women’s volleyball team has already qualified for next season’s Nigeria Volleyball Premier League, while our men’s team has secured promotion to the National Division 1 Volleyball League. These accomplishments are just the beginning of what we hope to achieve in the coming years.”*

The opening day also saw the defending champions, Kada Emeralds, and Nigeria Customs Service secure their first victories in the women’s competition of the ongoing National Beach Volleyball Star Tour.

Kada Emeralds triumphed over Musa Rifkatu with a dominant 2-0 win, securing set scores of 21-11 and 21-5. Speaking after the match, Pamela Bawa said, “We’re thrilled to start with a strong win. We’ve been preparing for this and we aim to defend our title.”

Meanwhile, Nigeria Customs Service defeated Adamawa Queens 2-0, with set scores of 21-19 and 21-9. “It was a tough match, but our team showed resilience and we’re ready to take on the next challenge,” said Francisca Ikehidie.

In the men’s category, defending champions Kada Kings battled hard to secure a 2-1 (21-11, 21-23, 15-11) victory against Wikki Spikers. Similarly, Nigeria Customs Service triumphed over Kada Stars with a 2-1 victory (21-17, 20-22, 15-11).

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Sports

LEADERSHIP Newspaper’s Salifu Usman Receives SWAN Fellowship In Recognition Of Sports Development Efforts

Published

17 hours ago

November 2, 2025

The Gleamer

Salifu Abubakar Usman, Group Sports Editor of LEADERSHIP Newspaper, has been honoured with the Fellow of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) award, in recognition of his exceptional support for the association, professional journalism, and his significant contributions to sports development in Nigeria.

The esteemed accolade was presented during SWAN’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration, held in Abuja, marking 60 years of excellence in sports journalism across the nation.

Upon receiving the award, Salifu expressed profound gratitude, describing the honour as a source of inspiration and renewed motivation to further his lifelong dedication to sports reporting, promotion, and growth.

“This award gives me hope and motivation to do more. It’s a source of inspiration for me and my family, and I believe it will encourage me further in sports reporting and sports development in Nigeria,” he stated.

Salifu highlighted that this recognition serves as a morale boost following decades of hard work and impactful contributions within Nigeria’s sports community and beyond.

The SWAN Diamond Jubilee Celebration attracted prominent figures from sports administration, the media, and government sectors to celebrate individuals and organisations whose efforts have significantly advanced sports development and journalism in Nigeria.

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