By Aderonke Ojo
The Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) says it plans to establish a technical director structure similar to that of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to ensure sustained development of volleyball across the country.
President of the federation, Musa Nimrod, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during the unveiling of Japanese coach Ryan Masajedi as the Technical Adviser to Nigeria’s national volleyball teams.
Nimrod said the proposed structure would mirror the role played by the NFF’s Technical Director, Austin Eguavoen, by providing technical leadership and coordinating developmental programmes nationwide.
“We are also intending to have our technical director, like Austin Eguavoen of the NFF. We need somebody like that in our own federation too, who will now be working.
“When the international coaches leave, we would be able to have a technical director that will be going around the country. The developmental programme will continue. There should be continuity,” he said.
According to him, the federation’s long-term objective is to build a sustainable technical structure that will reduce dependence on foreign coaches while strengthening the capacity of local coaches and players.
He noted that the technical director would oversee development programmes across the country and ensure that the gains recorded under international experts are sustained after their assignments.
Nimrod said the federation drew inspiration from successful volleyball nations in Africa, such as Egypt and Tunisia, where strong technical structures and continuity in coaching had contributed significantly to their growth and competitiveness.
He added that Masajedi, who has been engaged under a 12-month development programme supported by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), would work closely with Nigerian coaches to improve their technical competence.
The NVBF president also disclosed that Masajedi is expected to join Nigeria’s teams for upcoming assignments, including the Nations Club Championship in Kenya from August 23 to September 5, where he is also scheduled to hold a briefing with FIVB officials.
