Zakari Haruna Isah
Senior male and female players targeting places in Nigeria’s national beach volleyball teams will be closely monitored as 30 teams battle for honours at the 6th Annual President Beach Volleyball Tournament in Kaduna.
The tournament, which serves off on February 12 and ends February 17, 2026, brings together senior and junior players drawn from volleyball-playing states across the federation and is positioned as a critical preparatory and selection exercise ahead of upcoming international championships.
Organisers said the involvement of senior players gives added significance to this year’s edition, as outstanding performers will be considered for national duty at the Beach Volleyball Championship scheduled for July.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing in Kaduna, Chairman of the Nigeria Beach Volleyball Commission, DCP Stephen Hasso (rtd), described the competition as a deliberate effort to strengthen Nigeria’s beach volleyball programme through structured talent assessment.
He noted that the participation of 30 teams highlights the steady growth of the sport and the increasing interest among states.
“This tournament is special because it combines senior and junior players, male and female, from across the country. Our focus is to assess their performance and ensure that players who will represent Nigeria are properly tested and prepared,” Hasso said.
According to him, the event will also help evaluate athletes who have shown consistency and promise in recent competitions.
In his remarks, Technical Representative, Surveyor Timothy Samuel, disclosed that Nigeria’s female beach volleyball team is currently ranked number one in Africa, while the male team occupies the ninth position on the continent.
“Our women’s team remains the best in Africa, while the men are ninth. This competition is part of our build-up for the June and July championships, with the aim of improving our rankings, especially in the men’s category,” Samuel explained.
He expressed confidence that the Kaduna tournament would further consolidate Nigeria’s dominance in women’s beach volleyball and sharpen the competitiveness of the men’s team at continental level.
Speaking on the sidelines, President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Musa Nimrod, commended the steady improvement of the tournament over the years, adding that the 2026 edition would further enhance the quality of beach volleyball in Nigeria.
The event is expected to attract sports enthusiasts, officials, and stakeholders as teams compete for trophies, national recognition, and opportunities to represent Nigeria on the international stage.