19 Nigerian Coaches Earn FIVB Certification

 

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

The Olympic Solidarity Beach Volleyball Coaching Course, jointly organized by the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), and the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), came to a close Saturday in Abuja, marking the end of five intensive days of technical instruction, learning, and collaboration.

Held from November 4 to 9 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, the course brought together 25 participants from across Nigeria — a blend of experienced and emerging coaches eager to strengthen their knowledge of modern Beach Volleyball techniques and coaching methodologies.

The highlight of the closing ceremony was the presentation of certificates, with 19 coaches earning the prestigious FIVB certification, while all 25 participants received recognition from the Nigeria Volleyball Federation for their successful completion of the programme.

President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Musa Nimrod, commended the participants for their commitment and discipline throughout the course but reminded them that the true value of the programme lies in practical application.

“It’s not about certificates,” Nimrod stressed. “What matters is productivity — what you do with the knowledge you’ve gained here. We expect every participant to go back home, train new players, and develop our young talents. That is the real achievement.”

He challenged the newly trained coaches to take responsibility for the growth of the sport at the grassroots and contribute to Nigeria’s quest for global competitiveness, particularly as the country sets its sights on qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

“The road to Los Angeles begins here,” he declared. “Beach Volleyball remains one of our strongest disciplines, and with your renewed capacity, we can build a system that will produce world-class athletes.”

Representing the Nigeria Olympic Committee President, Habu Gumel, Rukayat Dolapo Olaniyan, Administrative and Project Personnel at the NOC, expressed delight at the success of the programme and appreciated the NVBF for its consistent efforts in aligning with Olympic Solidarity’s development objectives.

“This course reflects our shared vision with the International Olympic Committee — to empower coaches, strengthen national systems, and inspire excellence,” she said. “Our instructor has done an excellent job, and we are proud of the coaches who have shown great determination and focus.”

Also speaking at the event, Shola Fayose, Deputy Director of Coaching and Training at the National Sports Commission, who represented the Commission’s leadership, lauded the NVBF’s proactive drive toward technical development.

“Before now, we often said we lacked enough qualified coaches or facilities,” Fayose noted. “But today, things are changing. We now have properly trained, certified coaches — real coaches — and we are confident this will translate into better results in our national and international outings.”

He assured the participants that the National Sports Commission would continue to support volleyball and similar training initiatives aimed at improving Nigeria’s sports ecosystem.

Course instructor Javier Bosma, an FIVB International Expert and Olympic silver medalist, expressed deep satisfaction with the participants’ enthusiasm and progress throughout the training.

“From the first day, we focused on building connection and understanding among the coaches,” Bosma explained. “The participants worked hard, asked intelligent questions, and showed great passion for learning. I’m not just happy — I’m proud of them.”

Bosma urged the new coaches to immediately apply their knowledge within their communities, noting that sustained practice and mentorship are the keys to improvement.

“Now you have all this information — it’s yours,” he said. “Use it. If you keep working and put your best into it, there’s only one direction you can go — and that’s up.”

For many participants, the course provided not just certification but also a new perspective on coaching and leadership. One of the participants, Laju Isabella, expressed gratitude for the rare opportunity.

“I’ve learnt so much that I never knew before,” she said. “This course has opened my eyes to better ways of teaching and mentoring younger players. I’m going back home to put everything into practice and help grow the game.”

The closing ceremony was a moment of reflection and renewed commitment to the future of volleyball in Nigeria. With 19 internationally certified coaches now added to the country’s technical base, the NVBF believes the programme will have a lasting impact on the sport’s development.

“This is just the beginning,” Nimrod concluded. “We’ve planted a seed of excellence that must continue to grow. These coaches are our ambassadors — and through their work, Nigeria’s Beach Volleyball will continue to rise.”

As the curtains fell on the Olympic Solidarity Beach Volleyball Coaching Course, the message was clear: the journey to global success begins with empowered coaches — and Nigeria is well on its way.