Despite the country’s tough draw at the FIVB U-19 Championships, which begins on August 2, 2023 in San Juan, Argentina, Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) President, Musa Nimrod, has assured the nation of success at the competition.
The draw ceremony was held at the weekend in Lausanne, Switzerland, with Nigeria’s male side placed in Group C alongside heavyweights, Iran, Colombia, Puerto Rico and Korea.
The competition for the men’s U-19 will hold from August 2 to 11, 2023, with the top four teams in each group qualifying for the second round. The draw for the women U-19 competition, which will be co-hosted by Osijek, Croatia and Szeged, Hungary from August 1 to 11, 2023 also held simultaneously, with Nigeria drawn in Group B against co-hosts, Croatia, Turkey, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Germany. And just like the men, the top four teams will qualify for the second round.
Speaking on the draws, Nimrod expressed confidence that both teams would qualify from their groups.
“I know Korea will be quite tough in the male category, but they should do very well. The female category will not be easy, but we should be able to get out of the group; we have to ensure we get out of the group in both categories,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nimrod has commended the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) for bringing the All Comers, U-18 and U-20 trials to Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.
“I want to appeal to the AFN to continue with the development programmes for our youths because they are the bedrock of the future,” he said.
