League
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, April 5, 2018 (NAN) Martin Melandi, Technical Director of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), on Thursday advised officials in the forthcoming NVBF National League to be fair in officiating the games.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the league is expected to kick off across the country on Saturday.
The participating clubs are expected to arrive at the zonal centres on Friday.
“I urge the officials to be fair in their handling of the league’s matches so that only the best club will emerge from the competition,’’ Melandi told NAN in Abuja.
He said it was in the attempt to get the best out of officiating that neutral referees were dispatched to each of the zones.
“Aside the accompanying referee that is attached to each club, we are using those we see as neutral referees to ensure fairness in officiating,’’ Melandi said.
He said a seminar had earlier been organised for the club coaches in preparation for the league, and the federation was confident that the coaches are ready for the league.
Melandi disclosed that the federation’s League Management Committee was already on ground in each of the zones to put finishing touches to preparations for the competition’s commencement.
He said NVBF was hopeful that new talented players would be discovered during the league for integration into the national male and female teams.
“This is why I will also advise participating players to put in their best. This is an opportunity that has come their way.
“The league will keep the players busy throughout the season and help to shorten the period of camping of national teams because players will be fit all-year round,’’ the NVBF official said.
Speaking further on the league’s format, the technical director said home and away matches would be played in one centre.
“Since we are starting without a sponsor, and considering the economic situation in the country, all the clubs will play both their home and away matches at the same centre before proceeding to the round of 16.
“We are expecting two clubs to emerge from each zone. However, from the federal zone, we expect four clubs to emerge. That will take the number to 16 for the next round.
“The 16 clubs will then be split into two conferences — the Atlantic Conference for those in the southern states, and the Sahara Conference for all the clubs in the north.
“We already have a representation of clubs in all the zones and we extended the closing of registration to Thursday because of the public holidays.
“`For the military and para-military bodies, and these are representing the Federal, we have 10 clubs comprising of both male and female clubs,’’ he said.
Melandi added that the military and para-military clubs are playing each other as a zone and all their games would be played in Ilorin, which would serve as a neutral ground.(NAN)
DE/KOLE/OLAL
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(Edited by Remi Koleoso and Olawale Alabi)