Sports
NTF optimistic of good outing at 2024 BJK cup Africa in Kenya
Jemi Ojo
Shammah Makpa, the Secretary General of NTF, made the call in an interview in Abuja.
Makpa confidence is charged by the spirit of displayed by the national team players at the just concluded Africa games in Ghana.
“ Our athletes had a strong showing at the recently finished African Games in Ghana. It was excellent, and we are happy with the players who gave it their all.
“ You can see the players’ professionalism, patriotism, and dedication. We were able to reach the performer podium.
“ During the African Games, over 23 countries competed in the tennis competition, with Nigeria setting a record among those who won medals during the game. That was a decent one, then, ” he said.
He said NTF went with four male and four female players. We end up having one sliver and one bronze medal.
“ We are happy with the players’ performance, they gave a strong showing,” he said.
He said the next agenda of the NTF is to ensure that we increase the number of competition across the country.
“ We have the 2024 BJK cup Africa coming up in less than two month from June 10 to June 15.
“ This competition is like the World Cup ,a tournament between national teams in women’s tennis and Nigeria is featuring this year in the Group lll.
“ Our target is to be able to get promotion to the Group ll .With this player, I believe that we will be able to do that.
“ We should be able to do much better even the last BJK Cup Africa that we went in 2023 ,We finished third in the group.
“ With their performance displayed in Ghana, this would help them to do well , I strongly believe we’ll have a good outing at the upcoming 2024 BJK Cup Africa,” he said.
While the male category, the players will not lack home support in the 2024 Davis Cup Africa Group II qualifying rounds after the country ( Nigeria) secured rights to host the event to be staged in Abuja from July 15 to July 20 .
“ Our players qualified from Group IV to Group lll of the Davis Cup alongside Ghana, following a superb run in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2023.
“ In this Group ll is one of the biggest , where players going to compete with the European countries, that is our target ,” he said.
The reports that six nations will grace the tournament Namibia, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin and Nigeria (host)
and will be competing for two slots in Group II during the qualifying round.
Also reports that Kenya will host the 2024 BJK Cup Africa Group III for the second consecutive year after pipping Burundi during the bidding process.
Kenya and Burundi were the only countries to bid for the tournament to be staged from June 10 to June 15.
The winner will be promoted to the BJK Cup Europe /Africa Group II tournament in 2025.
12 nations will grace the tournament; Botswana, Burundi, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
The teams will be split into three pools of four with the top four sides meeting in the semifinals
Sports
Vipers VC celebrate captain Esther Mbah on birthday
Cyril Ogar
Vipers Volleyball Club have felicitated with their captain, Esther Mbah on the occasion of her birthday.
In a statement signed by the Vipers VC Team Manager, Suraj Abiodun Jabar; the club described Mbah as a leader who has consistently demonstrated excellence both on and off the court.
The statement also praised the Nigerian international for her valuable contributions to the club.
The statement mentioned her role in guiding Vipers to a second-place finish at the 2026 CAVB Zone 3 Club Championship in Ghana.
It read: “The management of Vipers Volleyball Club wants to celebrate Esther Mbah on the occasion of her birthday.
“She has been an asset to Vipers since joining the club, demonstrating outstanding commitment, dedication and leadership.
“Her contributions to the growth and success of the team have been invaluable.
“We appreciate her efforts, professionalism and the positive influence she continues to have on her teammates. We wish her more successful years ahead, good health and greater achievements.”
The club concluded its birthday message by wishing the experienced player continued success as she leads the team towards achieving more honours.
Beyond her achievements at club level, Mbah won a bronze medal for Nigeria at the 2024 African Games in Ghana, further establishing herself as one of the country’s accomplished volleyball players.
She has also secured qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, adding another milestone to her growing career.
In their separate messages, board members of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, James Datuhun and Chinedu Onikeku (OLY) as well as Coordinator of Vipers VC, Samuel Onikeku wished the Nigeria international a glamorous birthday.
They hailed Esther Mbah for exhibiting a high level of leadership trait since joining the team.
The stakeholders prayed for good health and ultimately success as she prepares for the Beach Volleyball event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
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