African Para Volleyball qualifiers for the 2024 Paralympic kick-off in grand style

Posted : 30 January 2024

The African Sitting Volleyball Championships have kicked off at the Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium as eight countries battle for the Paris Paralympic Games. The well-attended opening ceremony had bigwigs in the Paralympics from Morocco, Nigeria, Kenya, Algeria, Rwanda, Libya, and Egypt in attendance.

In attendance at the opening ceremony are Dr. Saidi Lamnni, Technical Director, Para Volleyball; Mr. Kquim El Saadi, President of the Athletics Committee and member of the Para Volleyball Board; and Mohammed Sovabi, Director of Media and Communications. Others are the Director General (D-G) of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Oluwatoyin Gafaar, President of the Nigeria Para Volleyball Federation, Kayode Ladele, and members of the Kenyan Para Volleyball Federation.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the President of the Nigeria Para Volleyball Federation (NPVF), Kayode Ladele, announced the readiness of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to stage a befitting tournament.

“I want to believe that countries will have a nice time as we give the best tournament so far.

“I implore all players to exercise good conduct and I hope the best team wins,'' he said.

Director of Sports PVA, Dr. Lamnni, commended Nigeria for being a good host to the historic Paralympic qualifications in Africa. Mr. Othman Okunu, the Technical Director, Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), host of the competition, said in an exclusive interview that hosting the sitting volleyball event was a dream come true for the commission.

``Sitting Volleyball is one of our babies in LSSC that we have been nurturing over few years.

``Lagos is the home to the Sitting Volleyball in Nigeria and LSSC is solidly behind the team. We have been having follow up on the game.

``It is cheaper for us to host the tournament here in Nigeria than to be looking for a way to travel outside to play considering the fact that we have the facilities in Nigeria,'' he said.

Nigeria is in Group A, with Egypt, Morocco, and Kenya. while Rwanda, Algeria, and Libya complete the Group B pairing.

The women's team will face competition from Kenya and Rwanda for a historic qualification for the 2024 Paralympics.

African Para Volleyball qualifiers for the 2024 Paralympic kick-off in grand style

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