By Joel Ajayi

For two weeks, the indoor sports hall of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, became a centre of sporting excitement, business opportunities and entertainment as the 2026 CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Volleyball Premier League brought together players, coaches, officials and spectators.

Beyond the fierce rallies, powerful serves and thrilling encounters on the court, the competition left a mark on traders and small-scale entrepreneurs whose businesses benefited from the influx of people attending the championship.

As the curtain came down on the final phase of the competition on Thursday, October 29, 2026, the impact of the tournament extended beyond the medals, trophies and sporting achievements, with food vendors, sportswear sellers, suya sellers, groundnut merchants, snack vendors and car wash operators among those who benefited.

The championship featured 26 teams, comprising 13 male and 13 female sides, with a total of 156 games played across its phases.

For traders around the stadium, the volleyball league was more than a sporting event. It offered an opportunity to increase sales, earn extra income and support their families at a time when small businesses continue to seek ways to remain sustainable.

The steady presence of players, team officials, supporters and spectators created a market for goods and services, turning the competition into an avenue for economic activity.

From plates of food and grilled suya to snacks and sportswear, vendors seized the opportunity to serve the needs of those who came to watch the games and support their favourite teams.

One of the traders, who expressed appreciation for the sponsorship of the competition, said the event had helped improve business and brought relief to families dependent on daily earnings.

“Imagine we are having this programme throughout the year; it would have brought more joy to people,” the trader said.

The trader’s comment reflected the wider appeal for more sporting events capable of combining entertainment with economic benefits for ordinary Nigerians.

The traders urged other well-meaning individuals, corporate organisations and institutions to emulate the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, by investing in sports and competitions that create opportunities for communities.

For the players, the tournament provided a competitive platform to demonstrate their abilities, improve their performance and pursue their ambitions. The financial support extended to participating teams was also welcomed as a means of easing some of the costs associated with camping.

Each team reportedly received ₦500,000 in support during the first phase and another ₦500,000 for the final phase to help with feeding expenses during camping.

Customs head coach, Abdullahi Salisu, attributed his team’s progress to the encouragement of the Comptroller-General and the service’s sports secretary. He also noted that sponsorship had helped create opportunities for international exposure.

“Because of the sponsorship we are getting, we are improving. From all indications, it seems we are going to win. We still have three more matches. Every point and every match is important for us, but that is our target,” Salisu said.

His comments highlighted the role of institutional backing in helping teams prepare, compete and improve their standards.

Similarly, the Vice President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation and Chairman of the League Management Committee, Architect Adamu Tenimu, appreciated Adeniyi for supporting the staging of the premier league for the third consecutive time.

Tenimu described the competition as the flagship of Nigerian volleyball, providing a platform for locally based and internationally exposed players to showcase their talents and contribute to the development of the sport.

Ultimately, the 2026 CGC Volleyball Premier League demonstrated how sporting competitions can generate benefits beyond the court. While players gained competitive exposure and teams received financial assistance, traders found opportunities to boost their businesses.

For those who made sales during the championship, the tournament’s legacy was not measured only in points scored or matches won, but also in the income earned, families supported and livelihoods strengthened.

Their appeal for more sustained investment in sports is clear: with the right support, sporting events can become powerful platforms for talent development, entertainment and economic opportunity.

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