By Peter Dansu Badagry has received a major endorsement to host more national and international beach volleyball tournaments following the ...
By Peter Dansu
Badagry has received a major endorsement to host more national and international beach volleyball tournaments following the successful staging of the 2026 African Nations Cup Beach Volleyball Zone 3 Championship.
President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Musa Nimrod, said the Lagos coastal town had once again proved why it remained one of the federation's preferred venues for elite beach volleyball events.
According to him, Badagry offers the ideal terrain and playing conditions for the sport, making it the federation's preferred training base ahead of major international competitions.
"We always like to bring our players to Badagry because of the condition and terrain, which are suitable for beach volleyball. We usually conclude our training camp here before travelling for international competitions because it provides the perfect preparation for our athletes," he said.
Nimrod also praised the quality of accommodation, feeding and welfare provided for athletes and officials throughout the championship, noting that the high standard of hospitality contributed significantly to the success of the tournament.
Beyond the competition, he said the championship showcased Badagry's tourism potential, with participants visiting the town's historic monuments linked to the transatlantic slave trade and experiencing its rich cultural heritage.
"We are proud of Badagry because it offers much more than sports. Participants have visited historical monuments and learned about the town's rich heritage," he added.
The championship also drew large crowds, particularly children, many of whom participated in volleyball development programmes organised by the federation and its partners, further strengthening grassroots interest in the sport.
Expressing confidence in Badagry's future as a beach volleyball hub, Nimrod said the town had become one of the federation's preferred training centres and was well-positioned to host more national and international championships. He also urged countries that qualified for the continental finals to intensify their preparations through training camps and competitive matches.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Nigeria Beach Volleyball Commission, Stephen Hasso, described the championship as a huge success, noting that the proximity of the courts to the beach created the perfect atmosphere for the game.
Hasso attributed Nigeria's outstanding performance to thorough preparation, as both the men's and women's teams emerged champions to claim the gold medals.
Nigeria finished top in both categories, while Ghana won silver in the men's and women's events. Niger secured the men's bronze medal, with Côte d'Ivoire taking bronze in the women's competition.
The championship featured six countries—Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Niger, Benin and Liberia—and served as the Zone 3 qualifying tournament for the continental finals, further cementing Badagry's status as one of Africa's emerging destinations for beach volleyball.
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