The President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Musa Nimrod, has pledged to work with the Nigeria Volleyball Coaches Association (NVCA) to enhance the development of the game.

The NVCA, in conjunction with the NVBF, on Thursday in Abuja inaugurated 13 executive members, a coaches commission and a referees committee.

Nimrod said the NVBF was ready to work with the the coaches commission and the referees committee.

He implored the new executives to take responsibility for the development of the sports in Nigeria.

“Based on the NVBF constitution, it is a requirement for the board to work with the coaches committee and the referees committee.

“This is required based on our constitution and as approved by the FIVB. This is an innovation.

“The coaches association and referees association are both affiliates of the NVBF. We will welcome other organisations that want to affiliate with us to develop the game,” he said.

Elisham Elam, Chairman, NVCA, who he is also the chairman of the 13 executive members said “as coaches we are the first instrument of the games“.

He urged volleyball players to give the federation their maximum support.

“Players should endeavour to answer to national call whenever they are invited to the national camp.

“We are going to support our players to represent the country because without players there are no coaches, referees and the federation,” he said.

He said the capacity building of the coaches was necessary and urged the board to help develop coaches in terms of training and coaching.

“As a chairman of this committee, we will work with the federation to see how coaches have to be graded.

“Volleyball referees have a well-structured association which coaches don’t have.

“I will take the blueprint of the referees and impact it on the coaches to get things right. We have to study the referees association because they are doing well,” he said.

The inaugurated executive members are Elishama Elam, Chairman; Wahab Bajehson, First Vice Chairman; Suileman Ajeigbe, Secretary; and Victor Inyang, Assistant Secretary.

Others are Okafor Uchenna, Welfare Officer One; Christiana Amadi, Welfare Officer Two; Dennis Eleri, Media Publicity Officer; and Rogers Ejighere, Media Publicity Officer two.

Members of the coaches commission for volleyball are Martins Melandi, Chairman; Japheth Nuhu, Vice Chairman; Usman Abdallah, member; Samuel Ajayi, member; Austin Odumo, member; and Francis Unify, member.

The referee committee is made up of Martin Menladi, Chairman; Dense Are, Vice Chairman; Mohammed Mohammed, member; Sheba Jefferson, member; George Usoro, member; and Sam Timothy.