Sports
THE President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Musa Nimrod, has described Badagry, Lagos State, as the ideal venue for major beach volleyball competitions after a successful Zone 3 Championship.
Nimrod told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that hosting the 2026 African Nations Cup Beach Volleyball Zone 3 Championship in Badagry proved the right decision.
He said the town’s coastal terrain, beachfront courts and historical attractions created an outstanding environment for competition and preparation ahead of international tournaments.
“We always like to bring our players to Badagry because of the condition and terrain, which are suitable for beach volleyball.
“We usually conclude our training camp here before travelling for international competitions because it provides the perfect preparation for our athletes,” Nimrod said.
He said athletes also enjoyed quality accommodation, feeding and welfare throughout the championship, contributing to the tournament’s overall success.
According to him, the event successfully combined sports and tourism, allowing players and officials to visit Badagry’s historical monuments linked to the transatlantic slave trade.
“We are proud of Badagry because it offers much more than sports. Participants have visited historical monuments and learned about the town’s rich heritage,” he said.
The championship attracted large crowds, particularly children, many of whom participated in volleyball development programmes organised by the federation and its partners.
Nimrod said Badagry had become one of the federation’s preferred training centres and expressed confidence it would host more national and international beach volleyball tournaments.
He urged countries that qualified for the continental finals to intensify preparations through training camps and competitive matches.
“We expect all the qualified countries to prepare very well because other zones will also be preparing strongly,” he said.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Nigeria Beach Volleyball Commission, Stephen Hasso, described the championship as a major success.
“It is always a delight to host beach volleyball in Badagry because the courts are located close to the beach, providing the ideal atmosphere for the game,” Hasso said.
He said Nigeria’s victories reflected thorough preparation and the country’s growing strength in beach volleyball, with both men’s and women’s teams claiming gold medals.
Nigeria won both titles, while Ghana secured silver in the men’s and women’s events. Niger claimed men’s bronze, while Côte d’Ivoire finished third in the women’s competition.
The championship featured six countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, Benin and Liberia, serving as the Zone 3 qualifier for the continental finals. (NAN)
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Tags: Badagry Beach Volleyball NFF