National School Volleyball Championship heats up as nine states battle in Lagos
The quest for glory at the 2nd National School Volleyball Championship is expected to reach fever pitch today as teams from nine states clashed at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. Organised
- By Israel Olamilekan
The quest for glory at the 2nd National School Volleyball Championship is expected to reach fever pitch today as teams from nine states clashed at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
Organised by the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF) in partnership with the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) and supported by the Lagos State Sports Commission, the four-day tournament is designed to nurture talent and select athletes for the ISF World School Volleyball Championship, scheduled for China from 1–10 July.
Twenty-eight teams are competing across boys' and girls' categories, with participating states including Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Bayelsa, Adamawa and Bauchi.
Hundreds of secondary school students have converged on the venue, bringing energy and passion to the second edition of the championship.
Read Also: Former NFF president Galadima dies at 74
NSSF president Olabisi Joseph praised the enthusiasm of participating schools and reaffirmed the federation's commitment to building a strong pipeline of volleyball talent through the school system.
"We are excited with the huge support we are getting from NVBF by ensuring that international standards are maintained and the best officials in the country are present to handle proceedings. This collaborative relationship will produce quality athletes for the sport as well as good ambassadors of our nation," she said, commending NVBF president Musa Nimrod and the Lagos State Sports Commission for their support.
Lagos State Volleyball Association chairman Kayode Ladele lauded the initiative, noting that the collaboration between the NSSF and NVBF had elevated the competition and strengthened Lagos' role as host.
NVBF technical adviser Martin Melandi said the federation's technical input would ensure the best players were identified to represent Nigeria on the world stage.
The finals and closing ceremony are scheduled for 25 April.
At the maiden edition in Abuja, host teams won both the boys' and girls' titles, with standout athletes from the FCT, Plateau and Kaduna later representing Nigeria at the 2025 ISF World School Volleyball Championships in China.
