By HOSEA NYAMLONG
The Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) elections, held recently at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, have brought renewed optimism to the sport.
A key highlight of the polls was the re-election of Mrs. Bolcit Barshep-Amakiri as the North Central Zonal Representative on the Federation’s board, solidifying her influential role in Nigerian volleyball administration.
THE NIGERIA STANDARD Sports Desk correspondent reports that Bolcit has made history as the first female North Central representative in Nigerian volleyball and the first indigenous zonal representative from Plateau State.
A committed member of the Plateau State Volleyball Association, she is widely admired for her passion and dedication to developing the sport.
Bolcit’s contributions to volleyball are multifaceted. She founded Team Anista, a beach volleyball team nurturing young talents and has sponsored teams, individual players and trainee referees.
Her tireless efforts in mentoring athletes have earned her deep respect across the Nigerian volleyball community.
In her post-election remarks, Bolcit expressed gratitude to her supporters, pledging to intensify efforts to uplift volleyball in the North Central zone and across Nigeria with “renewed vigour.”
Meanwhile, Musa Nimrod’s re-election as NVBF Chairman ensures continuity and stability.
His collaboration with Bolcit is expected to further drive growth and visibility for Nigerian volleyball both locally and internationally.
With dedicated leaders like Bolcit and Nimrod at the helm, Nigerian volleyball’s future looks promising, with a strong focus on nurturing talents, expanding opportunities and pushing the sport to greater heights.
Ex-Plateau Utd player cries out over unfulfilled promises 8 yrs after NPFL triumph
A former Plateau United Football Club of Jos midfielder, Jerome Dung, has cried out over alleged unfulfilled promises of cash and land made by former Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, after the team’s historic 2017 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) victory.
Unkept rewards after historic feat
Dung, who was part of the all-conquering team that secured Plateau United’s first NPFL title in the 2016/2017 season, said players and officials were yet to receive the N1.5 million and plots of land pledged to each of the 45 players.
He claimed that during a reception for the team in 2017, Governor Lalong also promised N2.5 million to the then technical adviser, Kennedy Boboye, and N2 million to other members of the technical crew.
But eight years later, none of these commitments had been fulfilled.
The midfielder, who played for Plateau United from 2014 to 2020 before moving abroad in 2022, now plays professional football in Switzerland.
He described the neglect as painful, stressing that many of his former teammates and coaches had fallen on hard times, with one coach, Audu Pele, tragically passing away after his family could not raise money for his treatment.
A passionate appeal
In a post on social media on Tuesday, Dung lamented: “Eight years have passed since we defied all odds to win the league in the 2016/2017 for our beloved Plateau United FC, aka Lalong Boys. Governor Simon Lalong who was very happy with our performance, promised to give us N1.5 million each and a plot of land to appreciate us. Our coaches were also promised money as well but eight years have passed since the promise and none of us have gotten the money nor the land.
“We’ve waited for this long, but the money isn’t forthcoming. Twenty-three players out of the 45 players in the team were not Plateau indigenes, but they fought for us and with us in making this history for our dear state and this should be recorded as one of the greatest achievements in the Lalong’s administration and for Plateau State.
“Today, almost half of my team mates then are either retired or currently without a football club to continue their job and they have kids and families to take care of. One of our coaches, Audu Pele, died because his family could not raise money for his treatment.
“Like I have said a couple of times in my posts and videos on social media, I don’t care where the reward will come from; all we want is what we worked for and deserve.”
Call for intervention
Dung appealed to the present Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to intervene and help fulfil the pledges made by his predecessor, noting that the players’ sacrifices brought glory to Plateau State.
The aggrieved former midfielder went further to publish a list of players who were part of the 2017 title-winning squad and who, eight years on, were still waiting for the state government to redeem its promises.
PLATEAU WATCH
NFF urges states to upgrade atadia for international matches
The General Assembly of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Saturday charged state governments across the country to prioritise upgrading stadia in their territories to a standard fit for hosting major international matches.
Sports247 reports that the move aims to ensure that Nigerian clubs can host continental fixtures at their home bases, instead of relying on borrowed facilities in other states.
The Congress also expressed a desire to return to the past when the Super Eagles’ matches could be staged in different parts of the country at short notice.
The resolution was contained in a communiqué released at the end of the NFF’s 2025 general assembly, which took place at Emeritus Professor Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, Orita-Meta, Ibadan.
Delegates stressed the urgent need for state governments to invest in modern stadium infrastructure that meets FIFA and CAF standards.
In addition to its call for better facilities, the Congress passed a vote of confidence in the current tenure of NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau.
Delegates also thanked President Tinubu for what they described as his “steadfast backing of Nigerian football,” and commended National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, for his support of the federation’s programmes.
The communiqué further stated: “Congress applauded the Government and people of Oyo State for their remarkable commitment to sports advancement and their generous hospitality to delegates and guests, affirming Ibadan’s readiness to host major international football events.”
The assembly also hailed the steady progress across the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) and Nationwide League One (NLO).
It urged league bodies, referees, and State Football Associations to sustain the drive for higher standards and stronger domestic competitions.
The NFF Congress reiterated its appeal to all state governments to scale up investment in standard football infrastructure nationwide, stressing that this is key to ensuring Nigeria remained competitive on the international football stage.