Schools from across the country have assembled at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, ahead of the Second National School Volleyball Championships, which begins today.

The four-day tournament is organised by the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF) in collaboration with the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), with support from the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC).

The yearly competition aims to develop volleyball in the school system and identify outstanding athletes, who will represent Nigeria at the International School Sport Federation (ISF) World School Volleyball Championship, which will hold from July 1 to 10  in China.

The teams from Lagos, Osun, Rivers, Bayelsa, Adamawa, Ogun, Taraba and Bauchi, among others, would be scouted for talents by NVBF technical officials, the organisers of the championship have said.

Speaking ahead of the championship, NSSF President, Olabisi Joseph, expressed delight at the growing interest in volleyball among schools nationwide.

She urged participants to be worthy ambassadors of their schools and praised the NVBF for its technical backing.

“In Nigeria, we are blessed with an abundance of talent in the school system. Volleyball, being one of the most popular sports in schools, has ignited healthy rivalry among students.

“Sport stimulates learning, so we are building a total child through events like this,” she said.

Joseph enthused that shortlisted athletes will have the opportunity to compete with their counterparts from other countries at the ISF World School Volleyball Championship in China, describing it as a unique opportunity for young players to showcase their skills before global scouts.