By Aderonke Ojo
Abuja, Dec. 14, 2025 – In a resounding endorsement of Nigeria’s rising sporting prowess, Musa Nimrod, President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), has heaped praise on the nation’s beach volleyball team for their historic gold medal victory at the ongoing African Youth Games (AYG) in Angola. The triumph, he asserts, signals Nigeria’s arrival as a dominant force on the continental stage.
Nimrod, who also presides over the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) Beach Volleyball Commission, framed the victory as more than just a medal. “This gold is a significant compensation and a powerful statement,” he explained. “It demonstrates our resilience after the disappointment of missing the last two World Championships in Qatar and Australia. While those absences were setbacks, our focus on developing young talent is now bearing spectacular fruit.”
The victory was sealed on Sunday as the Nigerian duo of Pamela Bawa and Joy Lawrence delivered a commanding performance, defeating Egypt 2–0 (21–17, 21–15) in the women’s final.
“Nigeria is fast becoming the home of beach volleyball in Africa,” Nimrod declared. “The consistent and impressive performances of our women’s team are not accidental. They are the result of structured talent identification, dedicated coaching, and a renewed strategic focus. Every match they win proves we are on the right path to sustainable success.”
Looking beyond continental glory, Nimrod outlined an ambitious roadmap with a clear pinnacle: qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. He revealed that this victory is a critical stepping stone in that journey. “Our long-term goal is unequivocally LA 2028,” he stated. “We have come agonizingly close, finishing second in the last two Olympic qualification campaigns. This generation of athletes, exemplified by Bawa and Lawrence, possesses the skill and mentality to bridge that gap. This AYG gold is a testament to their potential on the world stage.”
Nimrod extended his commendations beyond the athletes, highlighting the essential ecosystem supporting them. “I want to congratulate Pamela Bawa and Joy Lawrence for writing Nigeria’s name in gold. Their dedication is inspiring. I also commend coach John Iwerima for his exceptional technical and tactical guidance, which was evident in their flawless execution. Furthermore, the support from the National Sports Commission has been vital; ensuring our participation in these Games was a decisive investment in our future success.”
He expressed unwavering optimism for the sport’s trajectory, forecasting that beach volleyball will become a reliable medal-hauler for Nigeria at both continental and global competitions.
Context & Significance of the Games:
The 4th African Youth Games, which began on Dec. 10 and will conclude on Dec. 20, represents a historic moment for the continent. Angola is the first Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) nation to host the event, underscoring the Games’ growing prestige and unifying power.
Nigeria’s contingent, comprising 86 athletes competing across 12 sports—including athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, judo, golf, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, and weightlifting—is showcasing the nation’s broad sporting depth. The competitions are spread across six host cities, including Luanda, Benguela, and Bengo, bringing together young athletes aged 14 to 17 from up to 54 African nations. This beach volleyball gold is a shining highlight in Nigeria’s multi-sport campaign, promising to inspire a new wave of athletic excellence.
Edited by Emmanuel Afonne
