*Coach, players optimistic
By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Ahead of the World Indoor Volleyball Championship billed for Argentina later this year, Nigeria’s victorious U-19 Male Team is currently camping at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.
The two-week camp which commenced on May 7, has a total of 18 players.
Fielding questions from newsnen who were at the stadium to watch them during training on Tuesday May 16, Coach Adekalu Joseph Adeniyi explained that the team is camping to prepare for world championship later this year.
“What we are doing is part of preparation. We have been here for nine days, out of two weeks we intend to spend. A total of 18 players are in camp, 12 to be picked,” he explained.
According to him, “We are coming back in July with 24 players before the commencement of the tournament in Argentina between August 4 to 13.”
He further explained that, “We qualified from Morocco last year in September. We came first, Egyot second. Nigeria and Egyot would be representing Africa at the tournament.
“We will be going out there to give a good account of ourselves. I don’t like to boast but we know we will do well,” he said
On the welfare of the players and officials in camp, he heaped praises on the Engineer Musa Nimrod -led Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF).
” I want to give kudos to NVBF headed by Engineer Musa Nimrod. For these players to eat three square meals is not an easy task, but that is what they are getting. We are given toiletries, the hall is convenient, no distraction for the players unlike other halls.
“For the Federal Ministry of Sports, I want to thank them because they are the platform through which we operate. We thank them for supporting us. We want to thank the Minister, Sunday Dare for supporting us, he is doing well,” he declared.
Also speaking, Captain of the team, 18-year old Patrick Anthony explained that they started training since 7th of this month.
“We are all prepared, we are ready to go out and do well. We are hoping to finish first,” he assured.
When asked which of their opponents they would be wary of at the tournament, he said, “Everybody will give us a good fight it is not limited to any special team.”
Another player, 17-year old Eliphas Yusuf . from Adamawa State, said that their coaches are training them well in ensuring they do Nigeria proud.
“By God’s grace we will win the gold in Argentina. We solicit players from Nigerians for a successful outing, ” he said.
