By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The Sports Secretary, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Samuel Onikeku has assured that Nigerian Customs Service volleyball teams will improve their performances ahead of the Beach Volleyball Tour and upcoming tournaments.
Speaking on the performance of the male and female teams who placed second respectively at the just concluded 4th President’s Beach Volleyball Cup 2023 at Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna, Onikeku expressed delight that both teams were able to make it to the final.
He lauded the male team’s performance noting that the hard work the team put into their training is paying off. He however expressed hope that the female team, who failed to defend their trophy, would bounce back better.
“The Nigerian Custom Service ladies have been winning the President’s Cup for three years, they wanted to win the fourth title but Kada Emeralds defeated them. The male team have been coming to the President’s Cup but they always left empty handed. This year, they were able to win the silver medal which is an improvement.
“We are the only team among the military and paramilitary agencies to have teams in the final. We are happy that our male team were able to win the silver medal. We would go back and work on our lapses. Last year our players were engaged and they could not perform well, but after the elections, we would intensify preparation for the Beach Volleyball Tour.”
Onikeku, who is also the Technical Director of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), said NCS teams will continue to give their best in the various sporting competitions, while thanking the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) and other NCS top officials for the support rendered to sports, noting that the athletes would never disappoint them.
Speaking after the finals, Captain of the Nigeria Customs Service female team, Francisca Ikhiede said, “we prepared hard to retain our trophy but it happened that we lost. We didn’t underrate the opposition but somehow we lost, that is how the game is. We have more competition, we are going back to prepare better. Victory should be expected from our teams in the Beach Tour”.
