The president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engineer Habu Gumel, is celebrating what he referred to as a ‘proud moment’ for the country and the beach volleyball duo of Esther Mbah and Pamela Bawa, following their historic qualification for Los Angeles 2028.
Sports247 reports that Gumel was filled with excitement and delight on Saturday, as news spread from Alexandria, Egypt that Mbah and Bawa had defeated Morocco 2-0 (21-18, 21-10) to win the 2026 African Women’s Beach Volleyball Championship.
The victory made Mbah and Bawa achieve a first-ever Olympic Games ticket for Nigeria in beach volleyball, much to the appreciation of Gumel, who congratulated the players, the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), and the country at large on the historic qualification.
Gumel described it as a landmark achievement for Nigerian sports, particularly beach volleyball, while also acknowledging that Mbah and Bawa will forever be remembered in the annals of sports for years to come as the first pair to secure a place at the world’s biggest sporting event.
He went on to dedicate the historic feat to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while also pointing to the impact being enacted by the National Sports Commission (NSC), under the chairmanship of Mallam Shehu Dikko, as well as the laudable efforts of the NVBF led by Engineer Musa Nimrod.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) member declared further, “This qualification is a testament to the support of our sports-loving President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We are proud that this historic qualification is happening during his administration.
“This is a remarkable achievement and a proud moment for Nigeria. Esther Mbah and Pamela Bawa have written their names in the history of Nigerian sports, and we are extremely proud of their determination, commitment and hard work.
“I want to appreciate the Chairman and DG of the National Sports Commission, as well as the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, CGC Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for their support to these players, which made this achievement and qualification possible.
“This qualification will serve as a motivation for other sports federations. My appreciation will not be complete without mentioning the President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod, who also doubles as the President of the CAVB Beach Volleyball Commission.”
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