Abula is played on a rectangular court by two teams of four and has similarities to volleyball and tennis

🌐 Here's What Happened

On a school playground in Lagos four decades ago, a new Nigerian sport was born. Today, its players believe it has the potential to gain interest across the world.

Abula, a fast-paced four-a-side court game named after a popular delicacy enjoyed by the Yoruba people, was invented in 1984 by Elias Yusuf.

It is similar to volleyball, although players use a rectangular bat instead of their hands to hit the ball over a central net.

📌 Key Details

"I was a teacher of physical education when the idea of Abula occurred to me," Yusuf told BBC Sport Africa.

"Abula combines four classes of food in one meal. This game is a conjunction of four by four."

The dish Abula is primarily made from yam flour with assorted beef, vegetable soup from jute leaf, gbegiri soup made from peeled beans, and stew made from a mix of tomatoes and pepper.

For Yusuf, the inspiration for his game was simple - to engage students in an activity that was both fun and challenging.

The first match in February 1984 saw four teachers take on four students, with the latter winning a contest which set the tone for a sport that blends speed, skill and strategy.

Abula is played on a hard court measuring 16 metres by eight metres with a net which is 2.44m from the ground. It demands both teamwork and individual flair.

📰 Source: BBC Africa