Taraba State Sports Council says all is set for the National Division II Male Volleyball League to be hosted by the state.
The Director of Sports Council, Coach George Shitta disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), in his office.
He said 36 states of the federation are expected to take part in the championship that will commence on the 28th and end on the 30th of April 2022.
According to Shitta, ” This is the first time in the history of Taraba State to host a National tournament of this magnitude and we appreciate the Volleyball Federation for allowing us to showcase our facilities at the Jolly Nyame Stadium to the world.”
“Taraba is relatively peaceful, we have the capacity and talents to host this event and I hope Tarabans will come out and support our team, we are hoping for a good outing because the tournament will be very challenging.
“As I always say, His Excellency Governor Darius Ishaku has never left us behind and I know this is one of his giant strides to see that sporting activity of this magnitude take place in the state,” Shitta added.
Coach George Shitta, however, noted that each state is expected to at least send a club that will represent her, adding that Taraba State will also participate with a promise to produce more National and International players in the league.
While calling on well-to-do Tarabans to invest in sports, the Director of Sports Council, Shitta revealed that the council had met some spirited individuals who agreed to partner with them during the championship for the economic development of the state.
Speaking in an interview, an International Volleyball Referee, Muhammad Muhammad said he was in Jalingo in advance to ensure that the volleyball court is put in place to standard ahead of the championship, adding that Taraba was chosen by the volleyball federation because of its performance at the last year’s National Youth Games held in Illorin, Kwara State where it won a Gold Medal in the game.
According to him, this is the first time introducing Division II in the Nigerian Volleyball League.
“We have the Premier that has 12 clubs and the Division I which has 10 teams, and now Division II. So, those teams that have not registered with Division I and the Premier are more than those that have registered and they can now take advantage and register with Division II,”said Muhammad.
Muhammad Muhammad, who was the also the first Vice Chairman of, the Nigeria Volleyball Referees Association assured that National and International Referees will participate in the league as top Nigerian volleyball players will also take part in the Division II tournament.
Our Correspondent reports that the championship is organized by the Nigeria Volleyball Federation in conjunction with the Taraba State Sports Council.
Sani Sulaiman
