Nimrod, Olopade hail historic beach Volleyball Olympic ticket

August 23, 2026 12:12 am

Temitayo Oshikoya

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.

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.

“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.

“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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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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