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Tony Ngwube strategies to transform volleyball in southeast Nigeria

Published

5 years ago

September 16, 2020

United States (US) based, Tony Ngwube said his plan is to make southeast Nigeria a hub of volleyball.

The former Anambra state player stated that he wants to nurture world-class volleyball players that can compete anywhere in the world.

He revealed that there is great synergy between him, coaches, and players adding that dilapidated courts are renovated in order to make life bearable for upcoming players.

He said, “My goal is to develop volleyball in the South East region of Nigeria to the point of bringing up to the world-class level.

“There are lots of raw talents in the region, good coaches, and players; I am trying to help to make it a whole lot better. I also want to bring it up to World Class level”.

The former Kano Super Star VC said, “The synergy between I, the coaches and players is high, you have to understand that I came out of the South East (Anambra state), that was where I began my career in volleyball; I will never forget home no matter what.

“I am in close contact with all the volleyball stakeholders to date and some of the players do not know me physically because they were very young when I was playing while others were not born. I am helping to rebuild a couple of volleyball courts that are bad and make the court much better; the players are excited about the vision but I told them that I need everyone on board to achieve my goal.

“It is not about money but teamwork; we cannot make it without everyone sacrificing, working hard/together, and honestly by God’s grace we are going to make it”.

The former Asniers Paris noted that the COVID-19 stopped him from organizing various national tournaments in the South West.

He said, “As far as hosting volleyball tournament is concerned, the COVID-19 has placed a lot of restrictions in Nigeria. After the lifting of the ban on sports, I will kick off volleyball programs and help sponsor lots of tournaments in the South East.

“One thing about sports is that it is not about how much money you put down but the organization of it. That is why I am coming down to Nigeria with all the experiences I have in playing professional volleyball in Europe; the organization is fantastic.

“If you can organize and have a program, a vision and mine is to start volleyball from the grassroots, the kids up to the adults and keep Volleyball played for literally every month thereby exposing the players to the public and potential sponsors out there will pick an interest. The sponsors have to see performance or media publicity of the program and I intend making volleyball the number one or two sports in the southeast”.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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