The President of Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB), Zone 3, Ali Yaro has called on Sub-Saharan African nations to prioritize the U-19 Africa Girls Nations Championship in order to develop the sport.

Yaro who made the call in an interview on Friday in Abuja, said that there was a need to develop the game in the continent.

The president said that it was unfortunate that only three countries in the continent would participate in the championship.

“Each country in the continent needs to work hard on their grassroots developmental program for the development of the game.

“In a championship like this, the participation of each country on the continent was paramount. I wish the countries present here good luck and to put in their best,”he said.

Yaro commended the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) for hosting the championship for the second consecutive time.

Also speaking, the president of NVBF, Musa Nimrod said that Nigeria’s strength lies in the age grade championship.

“Nigeria is laying a solid foundation for the young players to excel and play professional volleyball outside the country and in turn improve the standard of play,” he said.

Nigeria, Cameroon and Egypt are the countries participating at the 2022 U-19 Africa Girls Nations Championship.

Nigeria hosted the Championship for the first time in 2021 in Abuja.

It also reports that Nigeria will face their Cameroonian counterparts in the opening match at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Friday at by 5 p.m.