By Amaechi Agbo

Immediate past governor of Niger State, Dr Babangida Aliyu has called for increased funding investment on grassroots sports particularly volleyball.

Known as “the Servant Leader” during his stewardship in the Power State, Dr Aliyu made the call during the final of the 6th edition of Life Camp Volleyball Club Championship in Abuja on Sunday.

The former Governor who was the special guest of honour at the final, commended the organisers and board of the Life Camp Volleyball Club for their resilience, commitment and dedication for the development of Volleyball in the country.

“I was a Permanent Secretary in the Federal Capital Territory when the idea about Life Camp Volleyball Club came up. For me it has always been like that. We will try and do our best but I think the federal government, and the private sector must come in to make sure that our sports activities are active especially at the grassroots level.

“The way we have been losing (in sports at global level), calls for concern. We are losing in sports at global stage because we have not paid attention at the grassroots level. That is why any time we get this kind of opportunity, we try to show up, so that people will understand the importance and those who are in it will be encouraged to continue to do it.

“Sports unites. Anytime Nigeria is playing football somewhere, there is unity, you don’t hear all the noise about that tribe or this tribe. One thing that is a unifying factor (in Nigeria) is sports, we must pay attention to it,” he said.

Teams White won both male female finals of the Life Camp Volleyball Club Championship which also marked the club’s 2022 end of year activities.

Team White defeated Team Blue 2-1 (20-25, 25-22, 15-12) in the men’s category to win the 6th edition of the tournament.

Team White also defeated Team Yellow 3-1 in the female category to win the coveted trophy.

They came from behind to win the trophy in 18-25, 25-14, 25-22 and 25-17 four sets.

In the men category, Team White went home with ₦100, 000 cash reward, Team Blue got ₦70, 000 as runner up while Team green who won bronze got ₦50, 000 prize for their efforts.

It was similar cash rewards for the 3rd best teams in the female category with Team White going home with ₦100, 000 with a giant trophy for their reward for hardwork, Team Yellow who won silver, were rewarded with ₦70, 000 cash prize while 3rd placed Team Blue got ₦50, 000 cash and a bronze medal.

Highlights of the three-day tournament which lasted from 16 to 18 December, 2022 at the Jabi Lake Park, Abuja, were presentation of medals and trophies to the winning teams as well as individual awards such as Best Server, Best Receiver, were also presented to deserving players.

The competition which is in honour of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation President, Engr Musa Nimrod was graced by the following dignitaries: Dr Babangida Aliyu (former Governor of Niger State); Sen. Olubunmi Olujimi; Sen. Shehu Sani (former senator, representing Kaduna Central District at the National Assembly); former minister of sports, Engr. Sani Ndanusa, Nigeria Volleyball Federation President, Eng Musa Nimrod; FCT Volleyball Association Chairman, Commodore Aliyu Pindar, among others.