Sports

Top Teams Battle for Glory as NVBF Opens 2026 Division 1 & 2 League

Published

4 months ago

May 23, 2026

Top volleyball teams from across the country are set to battle for honours as the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) officially kicks off the 2026 Phase One Division 1 and Division 2 National League Championship at the indoor sports hall of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

The championship, which begins on Saturday in Abuja, with technical meeting will feature teams drawn from different regions of Nigeria, highlighting the growing popularity and competitiveness of volleyball in the country.

Speaking during a press briefing ahead of the tournament, Chairman of the League Management Committee and Vice President of the NVBF, Tanimu Adamu, said the federation was determined to stage a successful competition despite financial and logistical challenges.

Adamu apologised to the volleyball community on behalf of the federation’s president, Musa Nimrod, and members of the board over the delay in commencing the league.

According to him, the federation faced a difficult situation due to a congested international volleyball calendar and funding constraints.

“This is a qualification year with several international competitions lined up, including Olympic qualification events in beach volleyball and the Nations Cup,” he said.

He disclosed that Nigeria would participate in four international championships within the next three months, with competitions scheduled to take place in Nigeria, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Kenya.

Adamu noted that postponing the domestic league any further could negatively affect Nigeria’s preparations for international engagements and disrupt player development programmes.

“If we fail to start the league now, it will become a disaster for our volleyball calendar and preparations for international competitions,” he stated.

The NVBF official revealed that 11 teams had registered for Division One, while seven teams would compete in Division Two, with the championship expected to run until June 3 or 4.

He admitted that organising the competition had been difficult due to financial challenges, the withdrawal of sponsors and the death of the federation’s technical referee, Samuel Timothy.

According to Adamu, the federation delayed activities out of respect for the late official until after his burial.

He, however, praised the commitment of the federation’s leadership, noting that the president and board members had personally financed the competition.

“Up till this moment, it is the president and members of the board that are financing this competition. We have not received support from government or sponsors,” he said.

Adamu described the Division One and Two leagues as important platforms for discovering and nurturing young talents, adding that the competition would also help Premier League clubs and national team selectors identify quality players.

He called on sports stakeholders and fans to support the championship and witness the high standard of volleyball being showcased in Abuja.

“Very soon, we may begin charging gate fees because of the level of competition and interest volleyball has generated across the country,” he added

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Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

10 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.

Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.

The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.

“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.

“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”

Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.

He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.

Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.

“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.

He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.

On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.

Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.

“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”

“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.

“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.

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