Nimrod, Olopade hail historic beach Volleyball Olympic ticket

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President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Musa Nimrod, has described Nigeria’s historic qualification for the beach volleyball event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games as a victory for the entire nation after years of near misses, Sunday PUNCH reports.

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Nimrod spoke after Nigeria defeated Morocco 2-0 (21-17, 21-10) in the women’s final of the 2026 African Beach Volleyball Nations Championship in Alexandria, Egypt, on Saturday.

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“I wish to congratulate Nigerians and thank God. This is the fourth time we are going into the finals; we finished in second place on three occasions,” Nimrod said.

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“God has done it for us on our fourth trial and given us victory. It is not the Nigeria Volleyball Federation’s success alone but the entire nation.”

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Reflecting on the federation’s long wait for the breakthrough, Nimrod added, “I want to say that after all these 16 years, today God has made it possible for the federation.”

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The Secretary-General of CAVB Zone 3 also hailed the National Sports Commission and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, for their constant support in uplifting the federation.

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The Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, also congratulated the NVBF on the historic achievement, describing its leadership as a model of effective collaboration with the Commission.

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“Congratulations to the Nigeria Volleyball Federation. This is true federation leadership in true collaboration with the NSC,” Olopade said.

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He praised the federation for its commitment to developing volleyball and beach volleyball in Nigeria, noting that the rapid progress recorded in both disciplines reflects strong leadership and strategic partnership.

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“The fast growth of volleyball and beach volleyball is something I have been talking about for months,” the NSC boss stated.

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Olopade further described volleyball and beach volleyball as promising areas for Nigeria’s international sporting ambitions, stressing that sustained investment, proper preparation and continued collaboration could help the country produce world-class athletes and teams.

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“They are a potential podium team at the Olympics,” he declared.

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But while the support of the federation, the NSC and other stakeholders has been crucial to the journey, the players remain the real heroes of the historic achievement, having delivered a commanding victory over Morocco to secure Nigeria’s first-ever beach volleyball Olympic qualification.

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