The female team from Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State has won the second edition of the Nonye Soludo Volleyball Competition, which ended at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, on Sunday.
They defeated Team Njikoka LGA in a fierce final that thrilled the audience.
The competition, initiated by the wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, is aimed at discovering and nurturing budding talents in volleyball across the state.
Earlier in the day, Team Anaocha LGA defeated Team Aguata LGA to clinch the third position.
Commending the coordinators, players and officials for what she described as an impressive tournament, the wife of the governor said the state would continue to encourage and identify sports talents from the grassroots
She went further to present N750,000 to Team Idemili South LGA for winning the competition, N500,000 to runners-up Team Njikoka LGA and N250,000 to Team Anaocha LGA, who finished third.
The Chairman of the Anambra State Sports Commission, Patrick Onyedum, and the Chairman of Idemili South LGA, Amaka Obi, extolled the resilient spirit of the players, noting that the win was a result of constant training and the impact of the Anambra State sports development initiative, a brainchild of the governor aimed at enhancing the sports sector.
The Head Coach of the Anambra State Volleyball team and Coordinator of the Nonye Soludo Volleyball Competition, Uche Okafor, said a total of 36 matches were played during the tournament, with four teams from four zones qualifying for the semi-finals.
Okafor expressed concern that many players who are indigenes of the state currently represent other states at major national competitions, and appealed to the sports commission and the state government to address the situation through improved remuneration.
Speaking after the final, the captain of the Idemili South LGA team, Favour Ani, thanked the wife of the governor for initiating the competition, describing it as a laudable effort to bring volleyball players in the state into the limelight.
Ani, however, appealed for better allowances and recognition from the state government to enable them represent Anambra State at national competitions.
Stephanie Nwadinobi of Idemili South LGA emerged as the best attacker, while Cynthia Uzuegbunam of Njikoka LGA was named the best setter.
Chinecherem Nwazupu of Team Anaocha was named the Most Valuable Player, Njikoka LGA won the best-behaved team award, while Team Aguata received the best coach award.
