Connect with us

SPORTS

Volleyball Sponsorships: I Don’t Run to Govt for Fund – Nimrod

Published

on

Share

The Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) President, Musa Nimrod, has said he does not go back to government to seek for refund after sponsoring the national teams to international championships.

Nimrod disclosed this to newsmen at the closing ceremony of the 2021 Nigeria Volleyball Premier League.

He said it was his responsibility to bring up the nation’s youths.

“I am not using my money, but God’s to bring up the youth.

It is my responsibility to bring the youth of this nation. There is a saying that say if you build the youth, you build the nation and that’s my belief.

“It is God’s money that I am using and I thank God because He has blessed me and I am returning it back as a responsibility to the Nigerian society.

“I don’t look at what I am putting in, I don’t go back to government to seek for refund after sending players to represent the country in international championships.

“I am saying it openly that I don’t go to government to seek refund,” he stressed.

Nimrod called for sponsors to support the federation and enhance the development of the game.

“We have said it again and again, this is not the first time we are calling for sponsors to come over.

“Nigeria Volleyball Federation has a profile, we can give the profile of our achievements. No other federation has a profile like ours …we are very proud to say that and we thank God for that,” he said.

He said it was “a miracle” for the federation to host four premier leagues consecutively without any hindrance.

“That we were able to host the premier league is a miracle, it is not the president or the board members. It’s a joint work that was carried out by all the board members and the state members of federation.

“I want to thank God and appreciate the League Management Committee (LMC) for doing a wonderful work,” he said.

Dignitaries present at the closing ceremony included Ibrahim Galadima, the former Nigeria Football Association (NFA) Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, the former Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Habu Gumel, the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).

NAN also reports that Kano Pillars came first, NSCDC took the second place while Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) finished third in the male category.

In the female category, NSCDC emerged first, NCS came second place while the Chief of Army Staffs (COAS) team emerged third.

A total of 17 teams, 10 male and seven female teams, participated in the just-concluded 2021 Nigeria Volleyball Premier League which took place in the Indoor Hall of the Mashood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.  (NAN)

SPORTS

2028 Olympic Games Qualifier: Super Falcons to Discover Opponents Today

Published

on

Share

Nigeria’s Super Falcons will find out their opponents for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games women’s football qualifiers this week.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Tuesday that the draw for the African qualifying series will take place on Wednesday at its headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 12 noon and will be streamed live on CAF TV.

A total of 35 national teams, including Super Falcons will participate in the qualifiers, which will be played over five rounds.

The other countries are; Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea.

Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe are the other countries that will take part in the qualifiers.

Two teams will earn Africa’s slots at the women’s football tournament of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The Super Falcons and Copper Queens of Zambia represented the continent at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Continue Reading

SPORTS

U-17 WWCQ: Flamingos Step Up Preparation for Guinea Clash

Published

on

Share

Nigeria’s Flamingos will take on Lakeside Queens in a friendly match in Ikenne on Thursday as they intensify preparations for their 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Guinea.

It will be the Flamingos’ first friendly since arriving in Ikenne for the final phase of their preparations for the qualifying fixtures.

Akeem Busari’s side played five friendly matches in Abuja before travelling to Ikenne.

They secured four victories and one draw from their five friendly games.

The team is expected to play more friendly games before taking on the Guineans.

Guinea will host the first leg in Conakry on Sunday, May 24.

The reverse fixture is scheduled for the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, a week later.

Continue Reading

SPORTS

Four NBA Stars Open to D’Tigers Call-up

Published

on

Share

Nigeria’s ambition to assemble a formidable basketball squad ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics has received a major boost after four National Basketball Association (NBA)players reportedly expressed their willingness to represent D’Tigers following the appointment of David Fizdale as head coach.

Fizdale, a former NBA head coach with the Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks, recently worked as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns between 2023 and 2025 before taking charge of Nigeria’s men’s national team.

Basketball journalist and scout Coach Hova revealed that Aaron Nesmith has already committed to representing Nigeria in the next international basketball window.

Confirming the development, he wrote on X, “Sources close to me have confirmed that Aaron Nesmith has committed to representing the D’Tigers in the upcoming international basketball window.”

The Indiana Pacers forward was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 14th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft before joining Indiana in 2022.

Hova also disclosed that Desmond Bane had begun processing his international switch to Nigeria ahead of the 2028 Olympics.

“Desmond Bane is committed and already processing his switch to represent D’Tigers ahead of the 2028 Olympics,” he stated.

According to the Hova, Bane has also been instrumental in encouraging other Nigerian-heritage NBA players to join the national team project, including Nesmith.

Bane himself publicly declared his interest this year in representing Nigeria during an interview in January 2026.

The Orlando Magic guard explained that he wanted to help gather top Nigerian-eligible players for a serious Olympic challenge.

“We just need to get all the Nigerians together for the Olympics coming up in the next couple years and make something happen,” Bane said.

He also admitted that he had already spoken with other players about joining D’Tigers.

“I’d talk to Aaron Nesmith,” he said.

“Me and Gabe Vincent also talked about it a little bit. We need to do it.”

Meanwhile, journalist Kehinde Bamidele further reported that Onyeka Okongwu remains interested in representing Nigeria under Fizdale.

According to him, “Okongwu remains interested in representing D’Tigers of Nigeria under new head coach David Fizdale.”

The Atlanta Hawks centre previously missed out on a potential invitation due to short notice, but talks are said to be ongoing ahead of the July international window.

Bamidele also reported that Ayo Dosunmu has yet to make a final commitment to Nigeria, although the new coaching crew are keen to convince him.

“Ayo Dosunmu is yet to commit to D’Tigers of Nigeria,” Bamidele wrote.

“Fizdale understands that one of his early priorities will be convincing the Wolves guard to represent Nigeria.”

The guard previously represented the United States at the youth level, winning gold at the 2018 FIBA U18 Americas Championship, meaning any switch could involve additional clearance procedures.

Fizdale has already made clear that qualifying Nigeria for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics remains his biggest ambition as D’Tigers coach.

After his appointment by the Nigeria Basketball Federation on Saturday, Fizdale told ESPN that leading Nigeria to the Olympics in his hometown would represent a career-defining achievement.

Nigeria have previously featured at the Olympic Games in London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 but are still chasing their first basketball medal on the global stage.

Continue Reading

Advertisement

Top Stories

NEWS9 hours ago

APC Unveils Winners of Adamawa House of Representatives Primaries

ShareFrom Yagana Ali, Yola The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially announced the winners of its House of Representatives primary...

NEWS9 hours ago

Northwest Varsity Kano Matriculates 7,929 Students

ShareFrom Rabiu Sanusi, Kano Northwest University Kano on Friday held its 13th Matriculation Ceremony for newly admitted students of the...

NEWS9 hours ago

NNPCL Credits PINL–Community Partnership as Bayelsa Records Zero Pipeline Infractions in April

ShareFrom Mike Tayese, Yenagoa The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has credited the result to the working partnership between...

NEWS9 hours ago

Minister Inspects Kano AGILE Projects as State Plans Renovation of 300 Schools

ShareFrom Rabiu Sanusi, Kano The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, has commended the quality of projects...

NEWS9 hours ago

Kano Police Arrest Suspected Drug Dealer, Recover 879 Parcels of Cannabis

ShareFrom Rabiu Sanusi, Kano The Kano State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on drug...

NEWS9 hours ago

Osun Amotekun Commander Assures Residents of Adequate Security Ahead August 15 Guber Poll

ShareFrom Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo The Corps Commander of the Osun Amotekun Corps, Hon. Adekunle Isaac Omoyele, has reaffirmed the readiness...

NEWS9 hours ago

Mustapha Calls for Empowerment of Traditional Institutions

ShareFrom Yagana Ali, Yola Governorship aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Salihu Mustapha, has stressed...

NEWS9 hours ago

Kano Partners FG on Education

ShareFrom Rabiu Sanusi, Kano The Kano state government has vowed to continue collaboration with Federal Government and Development Partners on...

NEWS9 hours ago

Housing Minister Reaffirms Commitment to Slums Upgrade, Modernising Urban Landscape in Nigeria

ShareBy Raphael Atuu, Abuja Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, has reaffirmed the commitment of the federal...

NEWS9 hours ago

ShareKano Censorship Board Suspends Two Kannywood Actors over Indecent Video From Aliyu Askira, Kano The Kano State Censorship Board has...