Members of Kano Pillars Volleyball Club are still in Nigeria, while the Nigeria Customs team has landed in Rwanda for the ongoing African Men’s Club Championship, the biggest on the continent.
Although the two teams were among 30 clubs from 17 African countries participating in the tournament, top sources at the Kano Sports Commission, who pleaded anonymity, said the non-release of funds prevented the club from travelling to Kigali.
A member of the Kano Pillars team, who spoke in confidence, said that the club risks losing its slot in next year’s competition and may also face sanctions from the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) if it fails to participate this year.
The source alleged that the absence of a Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development in Kano partly affected the team’s trip, as he is responsible for presenting the sports budget at the State Executive Council meeting.
Expressing optimism that the team could still participate in the tournament if funds are released today for the competition, the source appealed to the governor to hastily appoint a Sports Commissioner for proper administration.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has distanced itself from any blame in the unavailability of the Kano Pillars Volleyball Club at the African Men’s Club Championship.
Impeccable sources at the ministry said the absence of a Sport Commissioner does not totally affect the running of the Ministry, as funds for the Kano Sports Commission come directly from the state government via the office of the Secretary to the State Government.
Recall that Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso resigned his appointment as Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in January 2026, making the post vacant since then.
However, sources at the Ministry who pleaded anonymity disclosed that all the allocations for the sports commission, including funds for the volleyball tournament, were forwarded to the SSG’s office for prompt action.
Efforts by correspondent Caleb Jacob to get clarity from the office of the SSG were unsuccessful at the time of this report, as he was in a meeting. His spokesperson, Mr Musa Tanko, promised to get more details regarding the development but has yet to do so at press time.
