Brazilian Volleyball coach arrives Nigeria

Brazilian volleyball coach arrives Nigeria
By Edwin Akwueh, London

Newly appointed coach of the national volleyball teams, Augusto Sabbatino arrives in Nigeria to put finishing touches to his contract before resuming duties as coach of the female and male teams.

Voice of Nigeria understands that the appointment of the Brazilian born Sabbatino was at the instant of the sport’s world governing body- federation of international volleyball (FIVB) in a bid to facilitate the development of volleyball in Nigeria.

The contract
Speaking with Voice of Nigeria in London on details of the contract, President of the Nigeria volleyball federation (NVBF) Habu Gumel confirmed that the FIVB will take full responsibility of the four year contract while the NVBF will provide accommodation and other logistics that would enable the foreign coach perform his duties.

“You know that we just launched a national school volleyball programme that would help us to discover and nurture talented players who could make a career in volleyball while they are undertaking their studies.

So this coach’s appointment is part of arrangements to advance such school project and also help our indigenous coaches interact with the Brazilian.

It is our hope that the deal goes as planned so that we can make the best of it in the forthcoming world championships and even ahead of the 2016 summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro”.    

The deal further stipulates that Sabbatino will be on a six months probation, during which he would coach the female and male teams for three months each to enable the NVBF assess his suitability for the long term coaching contract.

Brazil is a major force in world volleyball and in the just concluded summer Olympics in London, the South American nation justified the rating by winning a back to back women’s Olympic gold medal while the men’s team won a silver medal.

Adekusibe/Hajia sani