30 teams set for showdown as Kaduna hosts 6th Annual Presudeht Beach Volleyball tourney

30 teams set for showdown as Kaduna hosts 6th Annual Presudeht Beach Volleyball tourney

Thirty teams will compete as the 6th Annual President Beach Volleyball Tournament serves off on Friday in Kaduna, with organisers positioning the event as a strategic platform for selecting players ahead of forthcoming international championships.

The tournament, which will run until February 17, will feature senior and junior players in both male and female categories drawn from volleyball-playing states across the federation.

Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna on Thursday, the Chairman Nigeria Beach Volleyball Commission, DCP Stephen Hasso (rtd), said the participation of 30 teams underscores growing interest in the sport and the importance of the competition in Nigeria’s beach volleyball calendar.

According to him, this year’s edition is distinct because it will feature senior players being considered to represent Nigeria at the Beach Volleyball Championship scheduled for July.

“We are expecting 30 teams to compete in this tournament. It is different from previous editions because we are bringing together both senior and junior players, male and female, from different states. The aim is to test their skills and ensure that those who will represent Nigeria are adequately prepared,” Hasso said.

He noted that the competition would serve as an evaluation ground for athletes who have shown consistency and potential in recent outings.

Also speaking, the Technical Representative, Surveyor Timothy Samuel, said Nigeria’s female beach volleyball team currently ranks first on the continent, while the male team is placed ninth.

“Our female team has been stable and they are ranked first in Africa.

The male team is ninth, and we are working hard to improve our ranking. This tournament is part of our efforts to identify quality players ahead of the June and July championship,” Samuel stated.

He expressed confidence that the Kaduna tournament would further consolidate Nigeria’s dominance in the women’s category while strengthening the male team’s competitiveness on the continental stage.

The event is expected to attract sports enthusiasts and stakeholders as the 30 teams battle for honours and national recognition.