Nigeria has withdrawn from an upcoming catchball tournament in South Africa following rising xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals.
The Nigeria Catchball Federation (NCF), through its spokesperson Naomi Nnaji, announced the decision in Lagos, stating that the safety of players, officials, and the entire Nigerian delegation remains the top priority.
The move comes amid renewed violence in South Africa, which has reportedly claimed the lives of two Nigerians.
The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg confirmed that Amaramiro Emmanuel died from injuries allegedly sustained after being assaulted by personnel of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) on April 20.
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In a separate incident, Ekpenyong Andrew was arrested on April 19 in Pretoria after an altercation with members of the Tshwane Metro Police. His body was later found at the Pretoria Central Mortuary.
The NCF emphasized that it would not risk the security of its members, stressing that participation in the tournament could not continue under such conditions.
Catchball, a sport combining elements of handball and volleyball, has been gaining popularity globally, with Nigeria’s federation established in 2025.
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