NVBF adopts October to May league calendar

By Aderonke Ojo

The Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) has adopted an October-to-May league calendar beginning from next season as part of efforts to align its domestic competitions with the international volleyball calendar.

The President of the federation, Musa Nimrod, disclosed this on Saturday at the end of the first phase of the 2026 National Premier Volleyball League in Abuja.

According to him, the new calendar will enable foreign-based Nigerian players to honour their club commitments abroad while remaining available for national assignments.

“We have informed all clubs that our season will now start in October and end in May. That is the international standard and it will reduce scheduling challenges, especially for our foreign-based players,” he said.

Nimrod said the League Management Committee had been directed to conclude the Super Cup and the first phase of the Premier League before the end of each year to ease fixture congestion.

He added that the decision also considered the 2027 general elections, which could affect sporting activities across the country.

“We must plan ahead because 2027 is an election year. If we fail to prepare early, it will affect our competitions,” he said.

Nimrod also said preparations had commenced for the Zone 3 Beach Volleyball African Nations Cup qualifiers scheduled for July 3 to July 7 in Badagry, Lagos State.

He said the national teams would camp in Kaduna before moving to Badagry to train on natural sand ahead of the competition.

According to him, Badagry was selected because of its accessibility for participating West African countries and its favourable environment for beach volleyball.