The second edition of the Nonye Soludo Women Volleyball Competition kicked off on Wednesday in Awka, Anambra State capital.
Sixteen local government areas in the state are participating in the ongoing tournament for young ladies, a grassroots sports development initiative of the wife of Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, aimed at empowering youths through volleyball.
The year’s edition which extended invitation to the 21 Local Local Government Areas of the state, is taking place at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.
Speaking at the opening ceremony for the four-day competition, which attracted sports administrators, youth leaders, volleyball enthusiasts, and supporters, Dr. Soludo, said the competition was designed to promote youth development, teamwork, discipline, and healthy competition through sports.
According to her, the tournament forms part of the present administration’s broader efforts to positively engage young people, discover hidden talents, and foster unity and social cohesion among youths in the state.
Dr. Soludo, who is also the founder of the Nonye Soludo Healthy Living Initiative, noted that sports remains a powerful tool for character building, leadership development, and social inclusion, especially among young women.
She further explained that the competition would serve as a platform for grooming future volleyball stars from Anambra State who could represent the state and the country at national and international levels.
“I encourage our youths to take this tournament seriously because sports remains a powerful instrument for character formation, discipline, and social inclusion,” she said.
The First Lady commended the organisers, coaches, officials, and participating teams for their dedication to the success of the championship and urged the athletes to uphold the values of sportsmanship, fair play, and mutual respect throughout the competition.
Expressing her excitement over the level of improvement and competitiveness displayed so far, Dr. Soludo said she was particularly pleased to see young ladies bonding, having fun, and building friendships through sports.
“This is about teamwork, unity, and creating lasting memories. We are here to have fun while competing positively. I hope this tournament is filled with great sportsmanship and excitement,” she added.
She also revealed that, given the noticeable improvement in performance and participation, plans were underway to increase rewards for winners in the ongoing competition.
The championship, which runs from December 17 to December 20, 2025, features group-stage matches on December 17 and 18, with the final matches scheduled for December 20.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Anambra State Sports Development Commission, Mr. Patrick Onyedum, described the championship as a laudable initiative that aligns with the state government’s commitment to youth empowerment through sports development.
He expressed optimism that the competition would significantly contribute to the growth and development of volleyball in Anambra State and beyond.
In his remarks, the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, disclosed that 16 out of the expected 21 teams from the state’s 21 local government areas were currently participating in the tournament.
He noted that the level of participation in the second edition was impressive, adding that several local governments that were unable to participate this year had already indicated interest in joining future editions.
According to him, there has been remarkable improvement in organisation, participation, and quality of play when compared to the maiden edition of the competition.
