By Joel Ajayi
The 2025 CAVB U-19 Beach Volleyball African Championship officially kicked off on Sunday at Jabi Lake Park, Abuja, with the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) issuing a firm warning to all participating teams to strictly adhere to tournament rules and regulations.
The caution comes as 16 male and female teams from 12 African countries begin their pursuit of continental glory and qualification spots for the 2025 Beach Volleyball World Championships in Qatar.
CAVB officials have stressed that any form of misconduct, cheating, or disrespect to officials will not be tolerated, emphasizing that the integrity of the tournament remains paramount.
Speaking during the pre-tournament technical meeting held on Saturday, CAVB Representative and President of Zone 3, Prince Ali Yaro, and others CAVB member underscored the need for discipline, professionalism, and respect for officiating—both on and off the court.
“We expect all teams to maintain the highest standards of professionalism,” said a CAVB official.
“This is a World Championship qualifier, and the eyes of the continent—and the world—are on us. All teams must obey the tournament rules.”
The championship, hosted by the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), is showcasing top youth volleyball talents from across the continent over a five-day period of intense competition.
NVBF President, Engineer Musa Nimrod, assured that Nigeria is fully prepared to host a seamless and competitive tournament, urging athletes to focus on fair play and strong performances.
“We are proud to host this prestigious event. Our facilities meet international standards, and we are confident in delivering a successful tournament. Let the best teams win—and win clean,” Nimrod said.
Participating nations include Nigeria, Ghana, Benin Republic, Togo, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Gambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire. With limited qualification slots available, the stakes are high for all teams.
Male Category
- Pool A: Nigeria 1, Benin Republic, Egypt 1, Burkina Faso
- Pool B: Ghana, Gambia, Senegal, Nigeria 3
- Pool C: DR Congo, Morocco, Burundi, Nigeria 2
- Pool D: Morocco 1, Côte d’Ivoire, Burundi 2, Egypt 2
Female Category
- Pool A: Nigeria 1, Burundi, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire
- Pool B: Morocco 1, Burundi 2, Benin Republic, Nigeria 2
- Pool C: Gambia, Egypt 1, Nigeria 3, Zambia
- Pool D: Morocco 2, DR Congo, Senegal, Egypt 2
As matches kick off at 1 p.m. (Nigeria time) on Sunday, all eyes are on Abuja to witness the rise of Africa’s next generation of beach volleyball champions and potential Olympic hopefuls.
