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Volleyball: Nigeria Women’s team eyes All Africa Games slot

Published

6 years ago

May 29, 2019

The head coach of Nigeria Senior women’s volleyball team, Usman Abdallah has vowed to secure the ticket for the 2019 All Africa Games in Morocco.

The All Africa Games Qualifiers will hold from 2nd to 6th June, 2019 in Abuja.

He revealed that the team has been responding positively to training.

Abdallah said he is not under pressure to deliver the ticket for his country.

“We have been in camp for almost ten days now and the girls are responding to training.

“I have also noticed a lot of improvement as far as the team is concerned. Thirty players were invited to camp and trimmed down to 18; it is encouraging.

“We have been given a job to make sure we get the female team qualified for the All Africa Games.

“I do not think we are under pressure because the male team qualified. I believe that the players and coaches want the country to qualify” Abdullah said.

Abdallah explained that the federation has created an enabling environment for Nigeria to qualify, adding that the president is always the team’s training to watch the girls train.

“I think it is also a motivation to have him here all the time” Abdallah added.

“Right now, we do not have any professional player in camp but what we are planning is to invite some of them after we qualify for the all Africa Games.

“We will try to invite those who are ready to help us we will be inviting them because they are exposed. Currently, we have new crop of players coupled with old players so that they can mix up” Abdallah concluded

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

Published

5 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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