Nimrod counts gains of Africa U-21 Boys volleyball tourney

@Ngobuadavid The president of Nigerian Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod has said the federation learnt useful lessons from the 2018 Africa U-21 boys championship it hosted recently in Abuja.

With the support of the Confederation of African Volleyball, CAVB, Nigeria hosted eight nations at the youth championship from 10-20 September.

Although Nigeria placed fifth at the tournament, which served as qualifiers for the World Championship, Nimrod said he was happy that Nigeria hosted a hitch-free competition.

He said he does not believe in winning always and at all cost because the championship is a developmental programme.

The president said in as much as they didn’t win the championship, the Nigerian team gained useful experience that will be of immense help in future.

He also said hosting the championship was another opportunity for the federation to learn some useful lessons in organising international events.

According to him, the organisation of the youth championship was near flawless such that the CAVB immediately promised to grant Nigeria more hosting rights in future.

“I was disappointed that we failed to win the championship but I want us to look at the brighter side of things.

“Our boys gained useful experience by their participation. I believe they will put the experience to good use in the near future.

“Apart from that we learnt useful lessons in terms of organisation. It is not a small task hosting the continent.

“However, we gave it our best shot. As a matter of fact, our continental body was so impressed with the organisation of the championship that it promised to give us more opportunities in future.

“These to me are gains we should take into consideration. The championship is a developmental programme so even as we didn’t win, we don’t have to be despondent,” he said.