The Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) has expressed confidence in the ability of the country’s beach volleyball teams to excel at the 2026 African Beach Volleyball Nations Cup scheduled to hold in Badagry, Lagos, from July 3 to July 7.

The federation said both the men’s and women’s teams were in excellent condition and fully prepared for the continental championship.

Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Friday, the Second Vice-President of the NVBF, Adamu Tanimu, said preparations for the competition were progressing smoothly.

Mr Tanimu said the ongoing Nigeria Volleyball Premier League had strengthened the national teams through effective talent identification.

According to him, the standard of the domestic league has improved significantly, with the participation of professional players from different parts of the world.

He said this had raised the level of competition and expanded the pool of players available for national team selection.

“We have not had it this way before. The quality of the league has tremendously improved, and we now have professional players participating, which has helped in team selection for international competitions,” he said.

Mr Tanimu said the federation had assembled competitive squads for its forthcoming international engagements, including the Zone III qualifiers in Côte d’Ivoire.

“We are well prepared. Camping begins on Monday in Abuja, and the selected beach volleyball athletes are in excellent condition,” he said.

Also speaking, the Vice-Chairperson of the Nigeria Beach Volleyball Commission, Bolcit Amakri, said the athletes had been in camp since the previous week under the supervision of the national coaches.

She expressed confidence in Nigeria’s chances at the championship, noting that both teams were in top form.

“The players have been in camp since last week to ensure they are in top form. We are confident Nigeria will perform well at the African Beach Volleyball Nations Cup,” she said.

Mr Amakri said the women’s team had already secured qualification after winning gold at the African Beach Volleyball Championship in Angola in December.

She added that the men’s team would compete in the Zone III qualifiers.

“The women have already qualified after their gold-medal performance in Angola. The men will compete in the qualifiers, and we are confident they will also qualify,” she said.

She also disclosed that the federation’s digital platforms had recorded more than two million engagements, while calling for greater support for the development of beach volleyball in the country.

A players’ representative, Dauda Saje, appealed for improved welfare for beach volleyball athletes, particularly in the areas of healthcare and financial support.

“We appreciate the support, but there is still a need to improve players’ welfare, especially healthcare and financial assistance,” he said.

Nigeria dominated the 2025 African Beach Volleyball Nations Cup, winning the gold and silver medals in the women’s event.

Nigeria I, comprising Pamela Miyoum Bawa and Joy Lawrence, defeated Nigeria II, made up of Faustina Ifechukwu and Blessing Anebi, 21-17, 21-17 to claim the title.

The Nigerian men’s team won the bronze medal at the championship. 

(NAN)