President of the Nigerian Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Musa Nimrod, has congratulated Nigeria’s U-18 beach volleyball team on its impressive performance at the recent international competition, urging the country to build on its dominance at youth level and translate the success into senior international achievements.
Nimrod, who also oversees the CFPP Beach Volleyball Commission, described the competition as high-class and fiercely contested, praising the players and coaching crew for overcoming difficult moments during the tournament.
“It was a high-class competition. It was fun, but it was really tough. Frankly speaking, I saw God in it,” Nimrod said.
He identified the quarter-final as particularly difficult but said he remained confident that Nigeria would win the competition if the team successfully negotiated the semi-final.
“I knew if they crossed the semi-final into the final, they would win. That one I was 100 per cent sure,” he said.
Nimrod also commended the coaching crew for their efforts, explaining that beach volleyball regulations limit coaches from communicating with players during active play.
According to him, the coach effectively used the changeover period to calm the players and provide tactical instructions, which helped them overcome the difficult spell.
The NVBF president said Nigeria’s growing dominance in youth beach volleyball has made the country a major target for opponents across Africa.
“These days, especially in beach volleyball in Africa, everybody is trying to fight us. Everybody is trying to say, ‘Look, we must beat Nigeria.’ And now, at the youth level, Nigeria is number one,” he said.
He, however, warned against complacency and urged Nigeria to continue improving.
“We must move forward beyond where we are. It is a very tough, challenging period, but we must move,” Nimrod added.
Nimrod expressed confidence that Nigeria’s sustained progress at youth level would eventually translate into success in senior beach volleyball and boost the country’s chances of securing Olympic qualification.
“Let me tell you, I’m confident very soon. A lot of things are going to take place, and I’m comfortable with what is happening now with the Nigerian Volleyball Federation,” he said.
He disclosed that the federation is planning a four-nation beach volleyball competition in Badagry, Lagos, as part of efforts to support Senegal ahead of its hosting responsibilities.
According to Nimrod, Nigeria and other West African countries have agreed to support Senegal, describing the hosting responsibility as a major challenge.
“We are arranging a mini-competition for Senegal to come down in Badagry for a four-nation beach competition, to give them our total support,” he said.
“It is not easy to host. It is very challenging. So we have to support Senegal. We’ll do a four-country competition in Badagry, and as a leader, I have to do that.”
Nimrod also expressed confidence in the ability of African teams to make a strong impact at the Youth Olympic Games in Senegal despite concerns over limited preparation time.
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He said Africa possesses the talent and physical strength needed to compete with the best, but must turn those advantages into results.
“We know we are preparing at the last minute, but I want to assure you, with what I’ve seen, Africa has the power, and we have to use that as our strength,” he said.
He also pointed to Senegal’s afternoon temperatures as one of the challenges athletes would have to contend with.
“The temperature in Senegal in the afternoon is another thing completely. But I believe we are going to do our best. I’m assuring you,” he added.
Nimrod said he expects an African team to secure a place on the podium.
“I believe that Africa should be on the podium. We cannot host without Africa being on the podium,” he said.
