ABUJA — Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, has urged the athletes taking part in the upcoming 2025 African Women’s Volleyball Inter-Club Championship (AWVIC) to demonstrate genuine sportsmanship during the event.

She issued the plea on Thursday during her official announcement of the championship’s opening at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

In her role as the Grand Patron of the event, Mrs. Tinubu congratulated the athletes on their commitment to the sport and lauded the African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB) for choosing Nigeria as the venue for this competition.

"The trust you have placed in us to create an appropriate setting for this championship reflects Nigeria's increasing standing as a host for global sports tournaments," she stated.

The First Lady honored the athletes as emblems of African excellence, stressing that gender should not stand as an obstacle to their achievements.

"Every one of you embodies more than just your country; you represent the immense promise of African womanhood. It brings me great happiness and hope for Africa's future to see these young women from the continent demonstrating such remarkable talents," she said additionally.

Mrs. Tinubu emphasized the progress achieved by women through President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, pointing out that ongoing reforms are significantly boosting female involvement in governance, commerce, and societal advancement.

She motivated the athletes to view themselves as representatives of both athletics and the boundless potential of African women.

"The qualities of self-discipline, teamwork, leadership, and toughness you cultivate as players are essential abilities that will benefit you far beyond the volleyball arena," she emphasized.

She likewise encouraged the attendees to meet both success and failure with poise, acknowledging that simply taking part in it makes them all victors.

To the champions, your achievements will inspire numerous young girls who are watching from the stands and their homes throughout Africa.

Mrs. Tinubu invited the athletes and guests to experience Abuja’s vibrant culture and warm hospitality prior to officially opening the championships.

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, praised the First Lady for her leadership role as the Grand Patron of the occasion.

"Your dedication to women in sports keeps inspiring and paving the path for upcoming generations of African athletes," he stated.

Dikko also recognized the contribution of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in facilitating the smooth organization of the championship.

In similar fashion, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, characterized the event as a tribute to dedication and resilience. He commended the female athletes for surmounting numerous obstacles to reach the pinnacle of their sporting careers.

"These women have challenged expectations, surmounted barriers, and transformed the impossible into possible," he noted.

Adeniyi also commended Mrs. Tinubu for her commitment to empowering women, calling her a unifying figure for promoting gender inclusion in Nigeria.

The President of the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB), Bouchra Hajij, highlighted the importance of the tournament as an opportunity for Africa's top clubs to demonstrate their skills.

“This championship is a symbol of volleyball excellence in Africa, bringing together the continent’s top teams to compete at the highest level,” she noted.

The 29th iteration of the African Women’s Volleyball Inter-Club Championship is ongoing in Abuja, where leading women's volleyball squads from all over Africa are competing for the coveted championship.

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