Abia set to host national volleyball championship

Abia State is set to host the Nigerian National Volleyball Federation Division One and Two Championship phase two, which will take place in Umuahia, the state capital.

Speaking to journalists on the competition in Umuahia, the state capital, on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Nwaobilor Ananaba, said Governor Alex Otti remains resolute about making Abia a sports destination.

He said that since the inception of Gov. Otti’s administration, many sports federations are identifying with Abia State with various sports events.

He said, “Abia will be the number one destination for sports in the near future. In terms of sports tourism, the business of sports, and we are working towards it. As you can see, everybody wants to come to Abia State.

“Almost all the states now want to come to Abia State for us to host one event or the other. Since His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, assumed office, he has been doing fantastic things in all the sectors, including the sports sector.

 “We are excited to welcome the whole nation for the Volleyball Championship Divisions One and Two.”.

He said the state was prepared for the competition, disclosing that in terms of facilities, Gov. Otti approved the renovation of the indoor hall of the stadium to international standard. He added that the athletes are ready to participate and expressed the hope that Team Abia would do well in the competition.

The Commissioner urged the athletes to work hard, assuring that the Governor was willing to reward any athlete that performs excellently.

Also, the state’s director of sports, Comrade Obioma George, disclosed that the competition would commence Thursday, October 10, with the arrival of athletes and would last through October 20.

He revealed that 19 states are expected to be in Abia for the competition.

He said, “You know, before now things were topsy-turvy in the state sports council, Abia, but the coming of Gov. Alex Chioma Otti has sincerely turned things around in the sports sector in the state.

“So far in Abia State, the state is waxing strong, starting from when the state organised the secondary school games, which were just like a foundation.

“The Governor is interested; the Commissioner is interested in developing sports.”.

In his contribution, the 1st Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Volleyball Association, Muhammed Muhammed, commended Gov. Otti for his interest in sports development in Nigeria.

“It is not every state or every governor that has the interest to promote sports at heart, but from what we have seen, the state has sponsored many competitions before now.

“Even last two months, the state sponsored the South South-South East Volleyball Championship”, he said.