Joel Ajayi

As the 2025 CAVB U-19 Beach Volleyball African Championship kicks off on Monday in Abuja, the President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod, has urged Nigerian players to remain focused and determined in their pursuit of continental dominance.

Speaking after the technical meeting and tournament draw held at the Jabi Lake Park venue, Nimrod expressed satisfaction with the growth and participation levels in this year’s championship, which features 16 strong teams from 12 African countries—a notable increase from previous editions.

“This is a great tournament that has grown steadily over the years. We had hoped for even more teams, but we’re very pleased with the strong representation we now have. All the teams have done a great job getting here,” he said.

Nimrod commended the high level of participation, particularly from West African nations, and noted the rising popularity and competitiveness of beach volleyball across the continent.

“Beach volleyball wasn’t taken seriously in Africa before, but things have changed. North African teams first made Olympic breakthroughs, and now West Africa is stepping up. Southern Africa has also joined the competition fiercely—just like in football and athletics. This healthy rivalry is good for the sport,” he added.

The NVBF President also highlighted the progress of Nigeria’s rising star, Pamela, who recently qualified for the World Championships in Australia. Although she will not be playing alongside her regular partner Esther during this tournament, Nimrod praised her adaptability and symbolized her as a product of Nigeria’s developmental strides in the sport.

“Pamela is a testament to our development efforts. She fits well into her age group, and though she won’t be playing with her usual partner, she’s adapting quickly. That’s a challenge, but also an opportunity. Our players must not take any opponent for granted—every country is here to win.”

He urged Nigerian players to maintain mental discipline and stay committed to retaining Nigeria’s top spot in Africa.

“They must stay focused and committed to keeping Nigeria at the top. We are currently number one in this category, and our goal is to remain there.”

Nimrod also encouraged members of the public to attend the tournament and support the teams, while commending the upgraded facilities at the Jabi Lake Park venue.

“Jabi Park now boasts an international-standard beach volleyball court. We’re proud of the progress made and invite everyone to come out and experience world-class beach volleyball here in Nigeria.”

The 2025 CAVB Beach Volleyball Championship serves as a qualifier for upcoming global competitions and will run for five days, showcasing some of the best emerging talent from across the African continent.

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