By Joel Ajayi
As the 2025 CAVB U-19 Beach Volleyball African Championship kicks off today in Abuja, the President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod, has charged Nigerian players to stay focused and committed throughout the competition.
With the spotlight firmly on Abuja, the tournament promises to showcase the emergence of Africa’s next generation of beach volleyball champions and potential Olympic hopefuls. Nimrod urged Team Nigeria to capitalize on the home-ground advantage and compete with discipline, resilience, and a winning mindset.
Speaking after the technical meeting and official draws held at the Jabi Lake Park venue, Nimrod expressed satisfaction with the growth and participation in this year’s championship, which features 16 strong teams from 12 African countries—a notable improvement from previous editions.
“This is a great tournament that has grown steadily over the years. While we had hoped for even more teams, we’re pleased with the strong representation we’ve achieved. All the teams have done well to make it here,” he said.
He particularly commended the increased participation from West African countries, highlighting the growing popularity and competitiveness of beach volleyball across the continent.
“Beach volleyball wasn’t always taken seriously in Africa, but that has changed. North African countries were the first to make Olympic breakthroughs, and now West Africa is rising fast. Southern Africa has also stepped up, creating a healthy rivalry—just like we see in football and athletics. This competition is good for the sport.”
Highlighting Nigeria’s progress, Nimrod praised rising star Pamela, who recently qualified for the World Championships in Australia. Though she will not be playing alongside her usual partner Esther in this tournament, Nimrod described her as a symbol of Nigeria’s development in beach volleyball.
“Pamela is a testament to our efforts in youth development. She fits perfectly within her age group and is adapting well to the changes. That said, no team should be underestimated—every country is here to win.”
He called on the Nigerian team to maintain mental discipline and defend their top position in the African rankings.
“Our players must remain focused and committed to keeping Nigeria at the top. We are currently number one in this age group, and we intend to stay there.”
Nimrod also invited the public to come witness world-class beach volleyball live in Abuja, commending the upgraded facilities at the tournament venue.
“Jabi Lake Park now boasts an international-standard beach volleyball court. We are proud of this achievement and encourage fans to come out and support the teams. This is high-level competition right here in Nigeria.”
The 2025 CAVB Beach Volleyball Championship, serving as a qualifier for upcoming global tournaments, will run for five days and is expected to spotlight some of the best emerging talents from across the continent.
