By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom
Umuahia, Oct. 24, 2025
The Nigerian Volleyball Referees Association (NVRA) has described Abia as one of the fastest-rising centres for volleyball development in Nigeria.
The Vice Chairman of the Association, Mr. Mohammed Mohammed, made the remark on
Thursday at the ongoing National Division One and Division Two Volleyball Leagues organised by the Volleyball Federation of Nigeria in Umuahia.
Mohammed, who is also the Referee Coach for the National Volleyball League, said the state’s consistent sponsorship of the national league showed strong commitment to sports promotion and youth engagement.
“Last year, Abia hosted this same event, and this year again, the government has supported it. That is rare and highly commendable,” he said.
Mohammed commended Governor Alex Otti for backing the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) and creating an enabling environment for national competitions.
He assured that officiating during the league would be fair and transparent, urging players to demonstrate discipline on and off the court.
“Volleyball is a game of discipline and we expect every athlete to respect the rules and officials,” he added.
The referee official expressed delight over the facilities in Umuahia and Umudike, saying they were adequate for both Division One and Division Two matches.
Also, the Director of Sports, Abia State Sports Council, Mr. Obioma George, said the event affirmed Abia’s return to national sports relevance.
George said 34 teams from 22 states were participating in the 10-day championship, hosted across Umuahia and Umudike.
He attributed the successes to the leadership of Gov. Otti and the efforts of the Sports Commissioner, Mr. Nwaobilor Ananaba.
George noted that Abia’s female volleyball team currently ranks second on the league table, while the male team is in fifth position.
He said the governor’s broad sports policy had revitalised youth participation and transformed the Umuahia Stadium into a daily training hub.
The sports director announced that the first Abia Tertiary Institutions Games would begin on Nov. 25 to discover new talents across the state.
George expressed confidence that with continued government support, Abia would soon reclaim its place as a dominant force in Nigerian volleyball.
The ongoing championship, which is the Phase 2 of the National Volleyball Division One and Division Two leagues, began on Thursday and is scheduled to end on November 2.
