Umuahia, the Abia State capital, is currently a bee-hive of Sporting activity as the State plays host to the National Division One and Division Two Volleyball Leagues organised by the Volleyball Federation of Nigeria.
The Championship features 34 teams from across the country, with about 22 States already participating in activities lined up for the ten days event.
Speaking to Journalists at the Umuahia Township Station, during the ongoing championship, the Director of Sports, Abia State Sports Council, Sir Obioma George, described the event as yet another milestone in the State’s steady return to National Sporting prominence.
Sir George attributed Abia’s success in the Sports sector to the visionary leadership of Governor Dr Alex Otti and the proactive efforts of the Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Nwaobilor Ananaba.
“Abia is hosting the National League Division 1 and Division 2 Volleyball League. On the whole, they have about 34 teams. In Division 1 female, they have 12 teams; male, 10 teams. Division 2 male, they have 12 teams. Today, Abia is hosting them”, Sir George revealed.
The Sports Director noted that the hosting of the event further validates the State Government’s promise to make Abia a “destination of sports,” a pledge which he said many had doubted until now.
He recalled the days when Abia dominated Volleyball in Nigeria and expressed optimism that the present administration’s commitment is restoring the State’s lost glory.
“You know, when the Honourable Commissioner told the public that Abia will soon be the destination of sports, they really did not believe it. And today, it is actually gradually coming to that.
“Sincerely, I want to thank our Governor, Dr Alex Otti, who is making all these possible; who is supporting all we are doing in this State in Sports, in line with our Honourable Commissioner.
“Abia used to rule Nigeria in volleyball in those days before things went topsy-turvy somehow. But today, with the help of the present government, Abia is bouncing back in Volleyball”, he said.
According to him, the Abia female Volleyball team currently occupies the second position on the League Table, while the male team ranks fifth and expressed confidence that “at the end of this league, Abia may likely top”, while winners will represent Nigeria at continental competitions.
Sir George explained that the first phase of the Volleyball competition was held in Abuja, while the ongoing second phase is being hosted in Umuahia and Umudike, using both indoor and outdoor facilities to accommodate all the teams within the 10-day championship.
He commended the vibrant youth engagement now evident in the State as a result of the renewed focus on Sports adding that the Governor’s holistic approach to Sports development has ignited enthusiasm among the youths.
“This is a golden opportunity for the youth of Abia. If you come to this stadium in the early hours of the morning, you see crowd here training in one sport or the other.
“Before now, if you came to this stadium, it was like a graveyard. But today, the awareness is high.
“You know, the Governor told us earlier that Abia will not only be playing football, that he will develop all the sports we have in the state and you can see that he is a man of his words”, he said.
Sir George while commending the Sports Commissioner, also credited the success of recent National and International events hosted by the State state, including the International Para Badminton Championship and the All-Africa Para Badminton Tournament, to the careful selection of competent officials.
He revealed that Governor Otto has approved the first-ever Abia State Tertiary Institutions Games, scheduled to kick off on 25th November, adding that all Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education in the State would participate in the event
“That will help us to feed the senior department of sports in this State”, the Sports Director explained.
Also, the Referee Coach for the tournament and Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Volleyball Referees Association, Mr. Mohamed Mohamed, urged the athletes to uphold discipline throughout the competition, assuring that officiating during the tournament would be fair and transparent.
Mr. Mohamed commended Governor Otti for sponsoring the championship for the second consecutive year, describing the gesture as rare and commendable.
