The maiden edition of the Chief of Naval Staff Open Volleyball Championships is aimed to help the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) unearth and groom more volleyball talents, according to official.

Adisa Beyioku, the federation's Secretary-General, said yesterday in Abuja that the competition was an opportunity for a fresh beginning in the advancement and development of the sport. "The competition offers us an opportunity to move faster in our grassroots development, and it will give a chance for new players to emerge and be groomed,'' he said.

The championship is scheduled to hold in Ilorin from Oct. 12 to 21 in both the male and female categories. Teams being expected at the championships are from all the 36 states and the FCT, as well as the military and para-military bodies. He said the volleyball family had been looking forward to the championship which is being wholly sponsored by the Chief of Naval Staff. "It is a competition many players, officials and others in the volleyball family have been looking forward to. For over two years now, there has not been a national competition, and something of this magnitude.

And, it has come at a time when it will help some teams prepare for their appearance at the 18th National Sports Festival coming up in Lagos from Nov. 27 to Dec. 9.

"So, we are expecting a large turnout because of its importance value to many volleyball stakeholders. With the way things are, we expect not less than 20 participants from each of the two categories,'' he said. Beyioku said Oct. 12 had been fixed for participants' arrival, with the draws on Oct. 13 and departure on Oct. 21.