Mahjabin Hakimi, a member of the Afghanistan women’s youth volleyball team, has reportedly been beheaded by the Taliban in the country’s capital of Kabul because of its objection to women’s sport.

In an interview with the Persian Independent, one of Hakimi’s coaches – speaking under a pseudonym – said that she was killed in early October but that it had been kept a secret as her family had been threatened not to talk about it.

Dozens of female athletes have fled Afghanistan in fear of their lives since the Taliban swept back into power in August as the preexisting Afghan Government collapsed with United States military support.

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) told insidethegames it was “urgently seeking clarification” of the situation and aware of reports of Hakimi’s killing.

Only two of the women’s youth volleyball team’s players managed to escape Afghanistan, it has been reported.

“All the players of the volleyball team and the rest of the women athletes are in a bad situation and in despair and fear,” the coach said, per the Persian Independent.

“Everyone has been forced to flee and live in unknown places.”

Hakimi played for Kabul Municipality Volleyball Club before the Taliban seized power.

“FIVB is aware of the reports coming from Afghanistan,” volleyball’s governing body told insidethegames.

“We are urgently seeking clarification and an accurate assessment of the current situation. 

“As the safety and well-being of the whole volleyball community is our paramount concern, there will no further media comment at this stage.”

Afghanistan’s Chef de Mission at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, Arian Sadiqi, fears for the lives of 12 Para athletes who are still stuck in the country and is worried that those who did not escape when the Taliban seized power have been forgotten about.

“If these girls don’t get help soon, they may fall into the hands of the Taliban and may get killed,” Sadiqi said to insidethegames.

Athletes Noorja Najafi, Rahela Haidari, Nargis Masomi and Benafsha Najafi have all called on European countries to help evacuate them from Afghanistan.

“The right to education has been taken away from us,” said Najafi in a video series shared with insidethegames by Sadiqi, where athletes discuss how heir lives have changed since the Taliban re-took control of Afghanistan.

“We cannot go to university safely or study safely because we are disabled,” Najafi continues in the video, which can be viewed here.

“Without wearing a hijab, we cannot walk or go out.

“We are very worried that our lives are in danger.”

The women’s national volleyball team has petitioned for foreign organisations to help get them out of the country, but have so far been unsuccessful.

“Our players who were living in the provinces had to leave and live in other places,” said Zahra Fayazi, a coach for Afghanistan, told the BBC in September.

“They even burned their sports equipment to save themselves and their families.

“They didn’t want them to keep anything related to sport.

“They are scared.

“Many of our players who are from provinces were threatened many times by their relatives who are Taliban and Taliban followers.

“The Taliban asked our players’ families to not allow their girls to do sport, otherwise they will be faced with unexpected violence.”

Football’s governing body, FIFA, supported Qatar and Albania with the evacuation of 57 people – mainly women and children – involved in football and basketball, it claimed today.

The 57 people were flown to Doha yesterday, FIFA said, while last week it also claimed responsibility for helping to evacuate nearly 100 Afghan football stakeholders, including female players, again to Qatar.

Seven female taekwondo athletes from Afghanistan were taken to Australia and given refugee status in September, while Afghanistan’s two Tokyo 2020 Paralympians – Zakia Khudadadi and Hossain Rasouli – were also able to flee the country and ultimately compete in the Japanese capital.

The Taliban – removed from power in 2001 – is an Islamist group which believes in Sharia law and vigorously restricts the freedoms of women.

Closures of girls’ schools, movement restrictions for women and women being forced to leave their jobs have all been reported since the group assumed control of Afghanistan.

-insidethegames

A statement from the secretariat of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation and signed by the Scribe, Maikano Adamu, enjoined all interested clubs, states, military and paramilitary to submit their entries on or before 14th February, 2020

The tournament which has been on for sometime now but couldn’t be staged for years due to lack of sponsors is revived by the present Musa Nimrod led board and will be used to select player for the senior  and underage beach volleyball national teams.

The President of the federation, Musa Nimrod told sports journalists in Abuja that this year’s edition will assist in discovering more talents for the national teams in all age categories.

He further said that the participating teams will be motivated and encouraged throughout the period of the championship.

“This year’s edition will also help build teams that will be taking part in the national sports festival at Edo state”, Nimrod emphasised.

The participating teams are expected to arrive Kaduna on 19th of February, 2020

Fifteen men and women volleyball clubs participated in the first and final phases of the premier league.

After a weeklong of games in the male category final, the defending champion, the Nigeria Customs Service retained the title winning five matches and losing the final to its arch rivals Nigeria Security and Civil Defence 2-3 to garner a total of 30 points to emerge overall winners.

Civil Defence, with 24 points,  occupied second position while a new discovery of the championship, Kano Pillars rose through the rungs to finish third with a total of 23 points.

In the female category, The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps emerged tops having won all their matches including the final match with the Nigeria Customs with a total of 32 points.

The defending champions,  Nigeria Customs Service was dethroned by the Civil Defence finishing second position with a total of 28 points while the Chief of Army Staff Spikers occupied third position.

Individual awards were also presented to some outstanding players.

In the male’s category:

(1) Best Spiker-Ogunshina Obayemi- Nigeria Police Force

(2) Best Blocker-Isaac Geoffrey- Nigeria Customs Service

(3) Best Server-Sunday Akinbo- Nigeria Security and civil defence corp

(4) Best Defender-Samson Akinbona- Nigeria customs service

(5)  Best Receiver-Seun Adegbite- Nigeria Police force

(6) Best setter- Emmanuel Samuel- Nigeria Security and civil defence corp

(7) MVP- Dikiya Seiyefa- Nigeria customs service

Female category:

(1) Best Spiker-Albertina Francis- Nigeria Security and civil defence corp

(2) Best Blocker-Prisca Nkemnekwu- Chief Of Army Staff Spikers

(3) Best Server-Francisca Ikhiede- Nigeria customs service

(4) Best Defender- Jummai Bitrus- Nigeria Security and civil defence corp

(5)  Best Receiver- Chinedu Nnachi- Chief of Army Staff Spikers

(6) Best setter- Sharon Achi- Nigeria Security and civil defence corp

(7) MVP- Ijeoma Ukpabi- Chief Of Army staff Spikers

According to a release signed by Kehinde Lamidi, the Chairman Media, National League Management Committee, 15 men and women volleyball clubs that participated in the first phase in Asaba, will be slugging it out in a round robin format to determine the 2019 winners.

The men’s clubs are: Nigeria Custom Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, Kano Pillars, Plateau, Famous Spikers and UCEM.  

The women clubs are Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp, Nigeria Custom Service, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Immigration Service, Kada Emeralds, Delta Queens and Benue Queens.

At the end of the first phase in Asaba, in the men’s category, Nigeria Customs Service with 19 points emerged tops. They were followed by Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, which had 18 points.

Police Super Force came third while Nigeria immigration services finished fourth.

In the women category, Civil Defence topped the league with 17points. They were followed by Nigeria Customs Service, which had 16 points.

Nigerian Army Spikers with 11 points, finished third. The technical chairman of the federation, Martin Melandi told sport journalists in Lagos that all machineries have been put in place to ensure a better and bigger outing of the 2019 National volleyball premiere League finals in Abuja.

The president of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Musa Nimrod while speaking with the sports journalists in Abuja promised a classical and CAVB standard tournament disclosing that for the very first time, all the matches played will be streamed live via all the social platforms of the federation.

“This action will further promote the game, allow those fans and stakeholders all over the world to enjoy the matches at the comfort of their homes and to make would be sponsors to have access to the products they are willing to sponsor.”

Clubs are expected to arrive Abuja on Thursday while technical meeting will hold the following day ahead of the tournament commencement on Saturday.  

As the top division of the Nigerian women’s volleyball league entered the Match Six Day in Bauchi, the Nigeria Police Force came from two sets down to beat Imo Babes 3-2 (25-22, 17-25, 19-25, 25-20, 15-8).

Nigeria Police Force started the game well by winning the first set 25-22, but could not maintain the momentum as Imo Babes won the second (25-17) and third set by 25-19.

Taiwo Oladipupo led Nigeria Police team came out smoking hot to win the fourth set by 25-20 and eventually secure a win by snatching the fifth set by 15-8.

The head coach of Nigeria Police, Taiwo Oladipupo admitted that Imo Babes gave his team a tough first in the second match of the team.

Oladipupo said his team would have dispatched his opponents easily if the players had listed to instructions.

The national team coach said, “I must admit that Imo Babes made me very uncomfortable and made me unbalance after they won the second and third set of the match.

“They should determination and zeal to beat us but my girls were the better side; we took advantage of their lapses in the fourth set and won the game.

“We could have easily beaten the South East team but my players underrated them and did not play according to instruction. This almost cost us the game but I am happy we eventually won”, he added

The coach of Imo Babes, Uche Ogbonna commended his team for giving the Police team a fight for their money.

Ogbonna said changes will be made when the team meets Zamfara Babes on Saturday.

He said, “I commend my players for their exceptional performance today; the crowd cheered us because they were happy with what they saw in our team. We lost to a more experienced and lessons have been learnt”.

Meanwhile, Niger Brass secures her first win after beating ABM of Katsina  3-2 (18-25, 25-21, 18-25, 25-17, 15-13)

Other results are:

Sunshine Spikers v Offa VC 3-0 (25-18, 27-25, 25-15)

COAS Spikers v Kada Kings 3-2 (25-16, 25-20, 22-25, 12-25, 15-7).

Kada Kings and COAS Spikers recorded their first wins on Day 2 at the ongoing Nigeria Volleyball League Division One in Bauchi.

Kada Kings lost to ABM of Katsina 3-2 (25-17, 19-25, 25-23, 22-25, 15-12) while COAS Spikers lost scandalously to Nigeria Correction boys formerly known as Prisons 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-14) on Day one of the division one league.

Kada Kings came back from a set down to beat Niger Brass 3-1(27-29, 25-20, 25-14, 25-20) while Nigeria Army struggled to beat Offa Volleyball Club 3-2  (25-22, 20-25, 23-25, 25-21, 15-11) in a highly tensed match on Day 2.

Speaking after the game, head coach of Kada Kings, Sani Mohammed said the coaching crew strategized against Niger Brass and the result was favourable.

Mohammed said losing against Nigeria Correction Boys was disastrous adding that his players have learnt their lessons.

He said, “Our first match was unfortunate because the team who defeated us is not up to the standard of Niger Brass but we lost.

“The team drew a new strategy and came out fully to face Niger Brass. During the training session in the morning, the coaching crew motivated the boys and you can see the result against Niger Brass; we also noticed the weak points of our opponent and capitalised on it”.

Prince Omisore said the exercise tagged, “Operation Keep the Volleyballs Flying in Nigeria” is to make the balls available to various states and club sides.

He said the prices of the indoor and beach balls came at subsidized rates.

The Osun volleyball chairman said, “The second phase of the operation keep the volleyballs flying in Nigeria” order has been shipped to Nigeria and the ball will be in the country latest on Saturday.

“Owners should be receiving them latest next week because the athletes’ representative of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Emmanuel Jatto will get the balls first”.

The NVBF Diaspora ambassador said, “A ball is sold in the market at about 30,000 naira to 40,000 naira. I went back to Mikasa to negotiate a deal for Nigeria volleyball clubs, schools, military and states in order to subsidize the amount.

“Upon negotiation, the price for both MVA200 and VLS300 beach balls came to 16,000 thousand naira.”

He further said, “The pricing for practice balls MVA300 is 14,000 naira; but this MVA300 is special order from Japan. It will be manufactured for us specially to meet our outdoor/indoor use to be more durable”.

“We have completed the first phase; the balls have been ordered in bulk from Mikasa and have been delivered to clubs and owners”, he added.

He commended the President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Musa Nimrod for changing the face of volleyball within the space of two years pledging to support the federation in any of her activities.

Nigeria men and women teams have qualified for the quarterfinals of the Beach Volleyball event at the African Games in Rabat, Morocco.

Nigeria men’s team beat Egypt 2-1 (21-15, 13-21, 15-13) while the women’s team defeated Gambia 2-0 (21-12, 21-9) to book sports in their respective quarterfinals.

Nigeria women’s team will face Kenya on Tuesday in the quarterfinals after losing 2-1 (21-13, 22-24, 15-12) in the group stages.

The men’s team will face South Africa in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

The head coach of the Nigeria beach volleyball teams, Kayode Ajilore said the team has crossed the first stage, which is to qualify for the quarterfinals.

Ajilore said the team will work on the lapses noticed in some of the matches played and will not occur in subsequent matches.

He said; “I am excited that the teams has crossed the first hurdle by moving to the quarterfinals. The teams are working so hard to correct minor errors noticed and I want to assure Nigerians that we are determined to make the nation proud”.

Women’s Quarterfinal matches:

• Egypt v Rwanda
• Namibia v Mauritius
• Kenya v Nigeria
• Mozambique v Morocco

Men’s Quarterfinals matches:

• South Africa v Nigeria
•  Angola v Morocco
•  Rwanda v Ghana
•  Gambia v Mozambique

Nigeria thrash Benin Republic 2-0 (21-5, 21-5) in the women’s beach volleyball event at the 2019 African Games in Rabat, Morocco.

The pair of Tochukwu Nnoruga and Fransica Ikhiede were too hot for Benin Republic to handle as it took Nigeria less than 20 minutes to win the opening match.

Fransica Ikhiede said Nigeria plans retaining the title won at the last African Games in Brazzaville, Congo.

Ikhiede said, “The game against Benin Republic is a prelude to what Nigerians should expect. We are in Morocco to retain the crown and by the grace of God, we shall overcome”.

Nigeria who is seeded number one will face Kenya by 9am and Gambia by 4pm on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Nigeria beat Mauritius 2-0 (21-16, 25-23) in the men’s Beach Volleyball event.

The pair of Goodluck Anyasodike and Sam Godwin suppressed the threat coming from Mauritius.

Nigeria will face Egypt by 9am and Mozambique 4pm on Saturday

The Nigeria Volleyball Federation has released list of players for the National teams ahead of the 2019 African Games in Rabat, Morocco.

Nigeria will face Morocco, Mauritius and Botswana in Pool A in the men and women categories at the games.

According to the list released by the Technical Director, Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Martins Melandi the team consists of 12 men and 12 women.

The men’s team boosts of three foreign players which are; Arinze Nwachukwu (Fenerbahçeof Turkey), Uchenna Ofoha (Netzhoppers of Germany), and Samuel Ogwuche (Asaria of Libya) and nine home based players who participated at the Division one and Premier League.

The women’s team has one foreign player, Mercy Promise (Cyprus) and eleven home based players tutored by former Most Valuable Player in Africa, Usman Abdullah and former Kano Super Star player, Moses Babamusa.

Women’s team:

Ladi Jalmet (Nigeria Immigration Service), Eunice Stephen (Nigeria Customs Service), Sandra Ozabor (NSCDC), Ijeoma Ukpabi (Nigeria Army), Mercy Promise (Cyprus), Rafiyat Mustapha (Nigeria Immigration Service), Happy Wushilang (NSCDC), Esther Dusu (Nigeria Customs Service), Albertina Francis (NSCDC), Esther Ahua (Nigeria Customs Service), Sharon Achi (NSCDC) and Jummai Bitrus (NSCDC)

Coaches- Usman Abdullah and Moses Babamusa

Men’s team:

Daniel Nathaniel (Sunshine Spikers), Afun Idowu (Sunshine Spikers), Akinbo Sunday (NSCDC), Army Ferdinand (Nigeria Police), Joseph Princewell (Nigeria Police), Ogunshina Obayemi (Nigeria Police), Iortyom Levi (Nigeria Army), Dikiyai Sriyefa (Nigeria Navy), Ikenna Ochi (UCEM),  Arinze Nwachukwu (Fernabace), Uchenna Ofhoa (Germany), and Samuel Ogwuche (Asaria of Libya)

Coaches- Japheth Nuhu and Taiwo Oladipupo