Martin Melandi, the technical director of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), has called for more private-sector partnerships to fast-track the development of volleyball in the country.

Melandi told journalists on Monday in Abuja that the board of the federation was committed to working with relevant stakeholders to develop the sport across the country.

He said that despite the lofty programmes of the federation, paucity of funds and inadequate sponsors remain a major challenge.

“This board of NVBF remains committed, in spite of the perennial paucity of funds bedevilling the development of sports in Nigeria.

“We specially thank the president of the NVBF,  Musa Nimrod and his board members; without partners and sponsors, they are able to keep the game alive,’’ he said.

Melandi said the ongoing second phase of the 2023 Nigeria Volleyball Premier League will unleash more talents and elevate the standard of the local league.

“This is the most crucial time for all teams in the premier (second phase of the premier) to demonstrate what they have.

“We acknowledge the challenges in our selfless quest to ensure that volleyball is properly developed in Nigeria,” he said.

The technical director said the federation was working around the clock to ensure all the leagues were properly developed.

“The premier league divisions one and two, including beach volleyball, are totally stable, with different competitions at the zonal level, national level, continental level and even at the world level,’’ he said.

He said the league champion (male and female) will qualify to represent Nigeria at the 2024 African Club Championships.

Seventeen teams, comprising eight male and nine female teams, are participating in the tournament’s second phase.

The second phase of the 2023 Nigeria Volleyball Premier League, which started on November 17, will end on November 25 at the indoor sports hall of the Moshood Abiola Stadium. 

(NAN)