BY AMEH IDAJAGI, JALINGO – The Bauchi State under-17 female volleyball team has emerged winners of the North East Zonal Championship organized by the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVF) at the Jolly Nyame Stadium in Jalingo.
The tournament, featuring teams from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states, saw Adamawa coming second followed by Taraba in third place.
Presenting trophies to winners at the end of the two day fiesta, North East Zonal Representative of NVF, Alhaji Amino Kolere said the event was organized deliberately as part of efforts at discovering talents among young girls for international competitions.
Kolere said with the Minister of Sport, Mr Sunday Dare, committed to developing other sports activities in addition to football, the stage is now set for the country to witness a new era in all-round sports development.
According to him; “The Championship is organized by the Nigeria volleyball federation to hunt for talents among young girls who will represent the country at international competitions.
“The new Minister of Sports, Mr Sunday Dare is totally committed to developing the entire sporting activities to engage youth and change the narrative about the performance of the country at international competitions.”
In her remarks, the National Female Volleyball Coach and ex-international volleyball player, Hajiya Rekia Muhammed, appealed to the government, corporate organisations and individuals in the country to spread goodwill to other sports aside football.
She lamented that other sports have unfortunately been neglected over the years by stakeholders, describing it as inimical to the overall sports development in the country.
“During my playing days, we had a number of sponsors across the country, not only government.
“I want to appeal to both public and private companies to embrace sponsorship of sports to enable the country come back to winning medals at the international competitions.”
Also speaking at the event, Taraba State Director of Sports, Mrs Yosie Daniel, praised the volleyball federation for working to popularise and improve the game among young girls across the country.
She however called on young girls to take advantage of the opportunity and become international stars for their career development and honour of the country.
Aside prizes won by Bauchi, Adamawa and Taraba states as the first, second and third placed teams, seven awards were given out to individual players for their outstanding performances during the tournament.
Also five volleyballs and a net were presented to each of the participating teams while certificate of participation were given to the players
