SPORTS
Volleyball Federation Urges Private Sector to Sponsor Federation Activities
The Media and Publicity Chairman of Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Mr Famous Daunemigha, yesterday in Abuja urged the organized private Sector to sponsor the federation’s activities.
Daunemigha said the federation needed the support of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s) to improve on the development of the sport in Nigeria.
According to him, the Federation have a lot of programmes to develop the sport in the country.
“We need to have a proper sponsorship for the players with prize money from sports investors, then, we will see the large number of the teams that will fight for those trophies.
“There is a great improvement in the ongoing Division One League, which is better than last year. We have promised volleyball family and Nigeria that we will keep on improving on the sport.
“We appeal to sponsors to be involved in sponsoring volleyball in the country so as to enhance development of the sport,” he said.
Daunemigha, also the South-South representative of NVBF board, said the major challenge affecting the Federation was lack of sponsorship.
“We have been struggling with sponsorship but now we have one or two sponsors coming in.
“Before the end of our tenure, we will be able to have a proper momentum that will take us to the next level; the board will fine-tune what we have done so far,” he said.
He said the Federal Government did not invest in other sports as they were only concentrating on football.
“Nigeria is so engrossed with only one set of sporting activity which is football; they do not know that there are other beautiful sports that exist.
“Now the government is playing a critical role; we also appeal to them to do more for the development of the sport from grassroots.
“To fund a team to come to Abuja, it required a lot of logistics in accommodation, medical bills, feeding and others; those are the challenges we are having now,” he said.
He said youths should explore in the sports to make a living for themselves.
“Youths should explore these opportunities outside and get involved in playing the game as professional players.
“There are a lot of Nigerians playing all over the world in Dubai, China, France etc, and they are playing well, they are bread winners of their families,” he said.
A total of 12 teams are participating in the first phase of the championship.
The male teams include Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), UCEM Spikers, Wikki Spikers of Bauchi, Spartan Spikers of Yola, ABM of Katsina and Caliphate Spikers of Sokoto.
The female teams are; Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Spikers, Bayonet Spikers of Kaduna, Life Camp VC of FCT, Wikki Spikers, Olalomi Royal Spikers of Kwara and Anambra Queens.
The 2022 National Division One Volleyball League, which started on May 13, is expected to end on May 22. (NAN)
Nigeria have been drawn in Group L of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where they will face Madagascar, co-hosts Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau for a place at the tournament.
The draw was conducted at the headquarters of the Egyptian Football Association in Cairo on Tuesday, with former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong serving as one of the draw assistants.
A total of 48 teams will participate in the qualifiers, with the draw producing 12 groups and 24 teams qualifying for the finals.
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will host the tournament from June 19 to July 17, 2027.
Nigeria were drawn from Pot 1 and handed a relatively favourable path to the tournament.
However, due to the presence of Tanzania — who have qualified automatically as co-hosts — in the group, only the top team will qualify for the finals.
The same applies to other groups containing any of the co-hosts, while the top two teams from the remaining groups will qualify.
Among the notable groups, 2023 champions Côte d’Ivoire were drawn alongside Ghana, The Gambia and Somalia in Group C.
Winners of the 2025 edition, Senegal, will face Mozambique, Sudan and Ethiopia in Group J, while 2025 AFCON hosts Morocco will face Gabon, Niger and Lesotho.
The qualifying campaign will be played across three international windows. The opening two matchdays are scheduled for the FIFA window from September 21 to October 6, 2026, before Matchdays Three and Four take place from November 9 to 17, 2026.
The final two rounds of matches will be played from March 22 to 30, 2027, when the line-up for the tournament is expected to be completed.
Arsenal’s 22-year wait for the Premier League title is over after rivals Manchester City drew at Bournemouth, in what is expected to be Pep Guardiola’s penultimate game in charge.
Tuesday’s result on the south coast leaves Mikel Arteta’s men four points clear of City before the final round of games take place on Sunday, with the Gunners set to lift the trophy at Crystal Palace.
Build-up to this game had been overshadowed by dramatic reports that Guardiola is set to step down as City manager at the end of this season.
He told television broadcasters before the game that speculation over his future had “absolutely zero” impact on preparations, but his side were outplayed and outfought by the brilliant Cherries, who extended their unbeaten run to 17 matches.
Buoyed on by a raucous following at the compact venue, teenager striking sensation Junior Kroupi curled in a sublime finish six minutes before half-time.
Home goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic making a vital save to deny Nico O’Reilly early in the second half and although Erling Haaland scored a late equaliser, the hosts held on.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola announced he will leave at the end of this season – and this result ensures the Spaniard has helped achieve the magnificent feat of securing European football for next term.
If Guardiola’s 10-year trophy-filled tenure is drawing to a close, he will have to make do with the FA Cup and Carabao Cup as a final flourish.
City’s chase for the title came to a halt in Bournemouth and the 55-year-old will leave the job having won six Premier League titles while in charge, but having had two consecutive seasons without finishing top for the first time in his career.
This was a must-win game for City if they wanted to extend the race for five more days, but the home game against Aston Villa on Sunday is now anticipated to be Guardiola’s farewell.
City had beaten their opponents in 16 of their 17 Premier League meetings but have now failed to win back-to-back games at this stadium, with this setback proving decisive as they ended with a whimper.
The visitors played like a side that were distracted by other matters and despite a rally in injury-time when Rodri struck the post and Haaland pulled a goal back in the 95th minute, a draw was not enough.
The returning Antoine Semenyo thought he had scored against his former club but his effort was ruled out for offside, while the league’s top scorer Haaland saw a thumping shot from the angle blocked by Evanilson.
Guardiola and his side must gather themselves for one final game which is bound to be an emotional affair, as Italian Enzo Maresca waits in the wings to take over.
Will the Champions League anthem ring in the ears of Bournemouth’s players and fans next season?
Haaland’s late leveller leaves the Cherries three points adrift of fifth-placed Liverpool, but a sixth-place finish would be good enough too if Aston Villa won the Europa League on Wednesday AND ended the season in fifth position.
Whatever happens, Iraola will leave the club with at least the Europa League to play in next season, showcasing the sterling work he has produced during his tenure.
“One more year, one more year Iraola” was the chant from the home supporters, but the club have already agreed a replacement in German Marco Rose, who has a monumental task to live up to his predecessor’s achievements.
Evanilson gave City a warning side when he somehow scooped over from inside six yard box from Marcus Tavernier’s superb low cross but the flag did go up for offside.
A poked effort following a flowing team move was pushed away by Gianluigi Donnarumma, but Kroupi curled in a stunning finish for his 13th goal of the season.
It could have been a more comfortable scoreline when Alex Scott ran through late on, and although the Englishman struck the post, and Haaland denied them victory, the home fans were still celebrating at the final whistle.
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Nigeria’s Flamingos will leave for Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on Wednesday ahead of the first leg of their 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against Guinea.
A total of 36 players are currently in the team’s camp, though the squad is expected to be trimmed before departing for Abidjan.
The Flamingos arrived in Ikenne last week Sunday for the final phase of their preparations.
Akeem Busari’s side thrashed Lakeside Queens FA 5-0 in their first friendly in Ikenne last Thursday.
Guinea will host the first leg of the second qualifying round tie at their makeshift home ground in Abidjan on Saturday.
The reverse fixture is slated for the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne on Saturday, 30 May.
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