Sports

NO NEED FOR ANY AGENDA OF DISTRACTIONS

Published

2 years ago

January 7, 2024

by Micheal Obasi

…As Dubai is the Perfect Camp site for Super Eagles Preparations for AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire_

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are currently preparing for the start of the Africa Cup of Nations in the United Arab Emirates thanks to the Nigeria Football Federation who are bent on ensuring the team gets the best of preparations before the mundial in Ivory Coast.

But surprisingly I have been reading in some quarters commentaries where the NFF was criticised for the choice of Dubai as the Eagles Camp site.

Offcourse everyone is entitled their opinion and their manner of reasoning but we strongly owe ourselves Informed information before ventilating our opinions.

It is also very important for people to understand that the NFF must have done it’s due diligence as regards the best camp site for the team in terms of weather, comfort and serenity.

All the Nigerians players are coming from Europe where they have being playing throughout the season in cold and freezing conditions but they are now going to Ivory coast where it’s going to be a complete direct opposite conditions.

And the Football House decided to choose a place like Dubai with similar weather conditions to what the players will confront in Ivory Coast.

So the big question is why the unnecessary criticism on the NFF?

I know we all owe our football constructive and objective criticisms but we must also burge ourselves from always setting an agenda of distraction and drama where there is none whenever the Country is on a major tournament.

Any regular traveller can easily attest to how serene Dubai is for any kind of hospitality and accommodation and the NFF actually got this very spot on to camp the Super Eagles there.

One can be rest assured of zero level of distraction for both the players and the technical crew which offcourse will afford them maximum concentration on the task ahead.

To further see that the NFF knows exactly what they were doing with the choice of Dubai , many other African Countries also have similar camp sites for their teams.

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon for example are camped in Saudi Arabia, the Gambia are also currently using Saudi Arabia while DR Congo and Burkina Faso are camped in Abu Dhabi in the UAE.

I think what we all should be concerned about is how coach Jose Peseiro can get the best out of the array top class players in the Eagles Squad and have the likes of Victor Boniface and Victor Osimhen firing in Ivory Coast.

Written by Micheal Obasi
Sports Journalist and Football Affairs Analyst

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Sports

Customs CG Increases Prize Money as 2025 Volleyball League Final Phase Serves Off in Abuja

Published

4 hours ago

December 1, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

As the final phase of the 2025 Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) National Volleyball Premier League for men and women commenced, with organisers reaffirming their commitment to improving player welfare, competition standards, and overall development of the sport in Nigeria.
Speaking at the press conference to mark the start of the final phase, the Customs Director General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi who was represented at the event by the Secretary of Sports Nigeria Customs Service Samuel Onikeku expressed satisfaction with the progress made since the league’s debut last year.

According to the organisers, the CGC has insisted that players remain at the centre of the project, noting that 70% of last year’s budget went directly to athletes. Based on lessons from the maiden edition, several adjustments were made in 2025 to enhance welfare and fairness.

“One of the key improvements was the increase in team subsidies, which rose from ₦300,000 per team to ₦500,000.

“During the first phase of the 2025 league, a total of ₦24 million was disbursed—₦12 million to players and another ₦12 million to teams.

“The same amount will be released for the final phase, bringing the total subsidy for the season to ₦48 million.”

Onileku stressed that the Comptroller-General is particularly passionate about ensuring that players—“the main characters everyone comes to watch”—receive adequate compensation for their sacrifice and commitment. Beyond volleyball, the Customs CG is reportedly extending similar support to wrestling, football, and soon, athletics.

The prize money structure remains unchanged from last year, after the CG increased it from the initial ₦3m–₦2m–₦1m format to ₦5 million for the champions, ₦3 million for second place, and ₦2 million for third place.

He hinted that the prizes could still rise before the end of the tournament, noting that volleyball currently offers some of the highest rewards among team sports in Nigeria outside football.
Individual awards, each valued at ₦100,000, also remain intact.

In addition, the CG introduced a new category this year: the Most Disciplined Team Award for both men and women, reflecting his strong emphasis on discipline and sportsmanship.

Onikeku who is also an AFN Board Member expressed gratitude to members of the press for what they described as “100% support” during the African Clubs Championship, noting that widespread coverage—both English and French—helped elevate the sport’s visibility. They added that this was one of the reasons the CG of Customs was recently honoured as a grand patron of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).

On behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Onikeku thanked all stakeholders, expressing confidence that by the final, the league would once again record a successful outing.
Speaking also, the Representatives of Nigeria Volleyball NVBF the 2nd Vice President Arch Adamu Tenimu thanked the Nigeria Customs for the supports reaffirming that the Service remain as the sole sponsor of the league and a core partner in the sport’s broader development.

He praised the Customs Service for its continued commitment, noting that their involvement has been instrumental in elevating the Premier League to internationally acceptable standards.

“Customs has played a key role in bringing us to this level, and we will continue to appreciate and seek this kind of partnership,” he added.

Beyond the ongoing competition, the Federation announced a major structural shift in its calendar. Beginning next year, the NVBF will no longer conclude all major local competitions at the end of the year—when many athletes and officials are often preparing for holidays.

While giving Vote of Thanked, the NVBF board Member, Mrs Chinedu Odozor Onikeku expressed gratitude to the CGC Adeniyi, President, Board, and all stakeholders for their support and commitment throughout the season.

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