KADUNA/Nigeria: The hosts, Katsina State came all out to beat Kebbi State 25-19, 25-16 and 25-15 in three straight sets to claim an all important victory in the opener of the National Volleyball Zonal League for North West Zone on Saturday at the Katsina Club.
They wasted no time in showing superiority as they trounced on visiting Kebbi State, who before commencement of the game, displayed high spirits.
In his remarks while declaring the league open, Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State urged the teams to feel at home.
Represented by the Commissioner of Youth and Sports, Honourable Abdu Habu Dankwari, he said the five states participating must have been overwhelmed by the hospitality of Katsina people.
He said as a sports loving state, the people are always willing to entertain visitors and cheer all teams made in sporting events.
Masari told all teams to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship, stressing that there are no winners or losers, but every participant who made it down should be proud.
Earlier in his remarks, the President, Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod said that the Zonal League is taking place across the six geo political zones if the country.
“This competition is all over the zones of the country as well as in the FCT. where military and para military are competing,” he said.
He disclosed that scouting is on to discover talents that would wear Nigeria’s colours at the Africa Youth Games in Algiers, Algeria, as well as the African U-19 Championship billed for Nigeria.
Nimrod who is also the North West Zonal Representative on the board of the NVBF thanked the Katsina State Government for supporting the league, while calling on public spirited individuals and corporate organisations to support the federation.
“We all know that government alone cannot sponsor sports to the level we want it to go. We call on public spirited individuals and corporate bodies to come and support the game of volleyball in view of the abundant talents that abound,” he said.
