National Volleyball League Kicks Off In Abia As Organisers Laud Gov. Otti For Sponsoring

The National Division One and Division Two Volleyball Leagues have started in Umuahia. The Volleyball Federation of Nigeria is staging the event with full sponsorship from Governor Alex Otti.

Thirty four teams are taking part. Twenty two States already have athletes on ground. The tournament will run for ten days at the Umuahia Stadium.

The Referee Coach for the competition, Mr Mohamed Mohamed, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Volleyball Referees Association, urged athletes to show discipline on the court. He said volleyball is a disciplined sport. He promised fair officiating throughout the competition.

Mr Mohamed praised Governor Otti for funding the tournament for a second year. He said such sponsorship is often difficult to secure. He noted that the continued support has allowed more divisions to feature in the league.

The State Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George, said the event shows the steady return of Abia to national recognition in sports. He linked the progress to the leadership of Governor Otti and the commitment of the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba.

Comrade George stated that Abia is hosting the female and male teams in both divisions. Division One has twelve female teams and ten male teams. Division Two has twelve male teams.

He said the Abia female Volleyball team holds second place on the League Table. The male team sits in fifth place. He expressed strong confidence that Abia will finish in top spots when the league ends.

He also commended the rise in youth participation in sports. He said the Governor is keeping his promise to grow every sport in the State, not just football.

Comrade George announced that Governor Otti has approved the first ever Abia State Tertiary Institutions Games. The event will start on November 25, 2025. All universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in Abia will take part.