Nigeria Lands Another Major Continental Sports Event for 2027

Nigeria Lands Another Major Continental Sports Event for 2027

By BSN Sports 

Nigeria has secured the hosting rights for the 2027 Africa Beach Volleyball Championship, with the tournament scheduled to take place in Lagos, in another boost to the country's ambition of becoming a leading destination for international sporting events, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The announcement marks the latest collaboration between Nigeria and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), following the recent agreement for Nigeria to host the second edition of the African School Games in 2027.

Speaking in Abuja, ANOCA President Mustapha Berraf said the decision to award the championship to Nigeria reflects the country's growing profile in African sports and the ongoing reforms within the National Sports Commission (NSC) under its Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade.

Berraf commended the Federal Government's renewed investment in sports, describing Nigeria as a reliable host of major international competitions.

"I want to thank the Federal Government of Nigeria for what it has been doing in sports in recent times. That is why we wasted no time in awarding Nigeria the hosting rights," he said.

He also cited Nigeria's successful hosting of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Africa U-18/U-20 Athletics Championships in Abeokuta at short notice as evidence of the country's organisational capacity.

"My late friend, the former President of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), Kalkaba Malboum, told me how Nigeria came to the rescue by hosting the CAA Africa U-18/U-20 Athletics Championships in Abeokuta after preparing for the event within just three months. This can only be achieved by a country that is intentional and deliberate about its sports development drive," Berraf added.

NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko said hosting the championship aligns with the Commission's broader strategy of using international sporting events to stimulate sports development and economic growth.

"We are serious about boosting the country's sports economy, and one of the ways to achieve this is by attracting more international sporting events to Nigeria," Dikko said.

The Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, attributed Nigeria's recent success in securing major sporting events to the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he described as highly committed to the development of sports.

Meanwhile, Nigeria could be in line to host Africa's Olympic qualification events for the 2030 Olympic Games. ANOCA and the African Union are currently discussing plans to stage the continental qualifiers in Nigeria, a move aimed at reducing the need for African athletes and national teams to travel outside the continent to secure Olympic qualification.This version is suitable for publication in newspapers, online news platforms, or wire services.