National Volleyball League Kicks Off In Abia

The National Division One and Division Two Volleyball Leagues organised by the Volleyball Federation of Nigeria and sponsored by Alex Otti kicked off today in Umuahia, Abia State.

The Championship features 34 teams from across the country, with about 22 States already participating in activities lined up for the ten days event.

Addressing journalists at the Umuahia Stadium, the Referee Coach for the tournament and Vice Chairman Nigerian Volleyball Referees Association Nigeria, Mr Mohamed Mohamed, assured of fair officiating in the competition and advised the athletes to be more disciplined in the field of play , saying that volleyball is known to be disciplined sports.

He also commended Governor Alex Otti for sponsoring the tournament for the second time.

“Last year, we were here and we so appreciate the Abia State Government for sponsoring such a competition. The same thing happened this year too, we are here again.

“It’s always very hard for somebody to agree to sponsor such a competition but we are lucky for the Abia State Government to agree to sponsor for the second time.

“Had it been that’s not sponsored, maybe we wouldn’t have even had the opportunity to maybe do it here or somewhere and with this another division is being added,” Mohammed stated.

Also speaking, the State Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George, described the event as yet another milestone in the state’s steady return to national sporting prominence.

George attributed Abia’s success in the sports sector to the visionary leadership of the state Governor, Dr Alex Otti and the proactive efforts of the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir. Nwaobilor Ananaba.

Comrade Obioma George noted that the hosting of the event further validates the state government’s promise to make Abia a sports destination.

“Abia is hosting the National League Division 1 and Division 2 Volleyball League. On the whole, they have about 34 teams.

“In Division 1 female, they have 12 teams; male, 10 teams. Division 2 male, they have 12 teams. Today, Abia is hosting them”, George stated.

According to him, the Abia female Volleyball team currently occupies the second position on the League Table, while the male team ranks fifth and expressed confidence that at the end of this league, Abia may likely top the table.

Comrade George commended the vibrant youth engagement by the state government , particularly in the area of sports adding that the Governor’s holistic approach to Sports development has ignited enthusiasm among the youths.

“You know, the Governor told us earlier that Abia will not only be playing football, that he will develop all the sports we have in the state and you can see that he is a man of his words”, he said.

The State Director of Sports used the opportunity to disclose that Governor Otti has approved the hosting of the first-ever Abia State Tertiary Institutions Games, scheduled to commence on the 25th of November 2025.

THE WHISTLER reports that all the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in Abia State would participate in the tertiary institution games.