Sports
Onikeku Promises Bigger, Better Second Phase of CGC Volleyball Premier League
By Joel Ajayi
As the curtain fell on the first stanza of the 2025 Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Volleyball Premier League in Abuja, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) assured fans and players of an even more exciting and competitive second phase.
The prestigious competition, now a highlight on Nigeria’s volleyball calendar, features 24 teams—12 men’s and 12 women’s—battling for supremacy. At the end of the first phase, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) team emerged leaders in the men’s category, while Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) dominated the women’s division, crowned halfway champions after winning all their matches.
The decisive second phase will once again hold in Abuja from November 29 to December 10, when the overall champions will be officially crowned. Beyond the grand prizes at stake, the CGC has demonstrated strong commitment to the league, investing ₦24 million as subsidies in the first phase, with the same support guaranteed for the finale.
Speaking after the closing of first Phase in Abuja, NCS Director of Sports, Samuel Onikeku—representing the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi—promised an improved final stage.
“We are committed to delivering a better and more competitive second phase,” Onikeku assured, stressing that the Customs leadership remains determined to strengthen volleyball and promote sports development across Nigeria.
Reflecting on the first phase, Onikeku expressed satisfaction with the performance of the female team, which played 11 matches and won all. He noted that reorganization and strategic trials held two months ago helped the squad overcome earlier challenges.
On the men’s side, he described their second-place finish as a significant improvement compared to last year, while promising more work ahead. “Even though our women won all their games, we will still make improvements. The ultimate goal is to perform strongly at the continental club championship,” he said.
Sports
Nigeria Targets Grassroots Sports Revival as Tinubu’s Aide Adeboye Unveils National Sports Grassroots Summit
Joel Ajayi
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Grassroots Sports Development, Adeboye Adeyinka, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of grassroots sports development in Nigeria, urging stakeholders to prioritise youth empowerment, education and national development alongside medals and trophies.
Adeyinka stated this on Thursday in Abuja during a press conference while announcing the 2026 National Grassroots Sports Summit, scheduled for November 18 and 19 at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The summit, with the theme, “Creating a New Pathway for Sustainable Grassroots Sports Development,” is expected to bring together government officials, sports administrators, state and local government representatives, private-sector investors, development partners, coaches, athletes and other stakeholders.
The presidential aide stressed that sports development must be measured not only by international achievements but also by the number of young Nigerians whose lives are positively transformed through participation in sports.
He noted that while sporting excellence could lead some athletes to Olympic medals and World Cup glory, sports also offered millions of young people opportunities for education, personal development, employment and social inclusion.
“Sometimes, when we discuss sports development, we speak about stadiums, trophies, medals and international competitions.
“But I want us to remember that at the heart of every sporting achievement is a human being,” Adeyinka said.
He explained that participation in sports could help young Nigerians secure university scholarships, develop discipline, build confidence, acquire life skills and stay away from negative influences.
According to him, sports should be recognised as an important instrument for building character, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for young people, irrespective of their backgrounds.
On talent identification, Adeyinka expressed concern that Nigeria continues to lose potential sporting talents because many children lack access to adequate facilities, qualified coaches, encouragement and organised talent-discovery programmes.
He emphasised the need for an inclusive grassroots sports system that would provide equal opportunities for children in rural communities, public schools, underserved areas and different socioeconomic backgrounds.
The presidential aide maintained that a child’s sporting prospects should not be determined by geographical location, family background or connections to influential individuals.
He warned that without a coordinated approach to identifying and nurturing young talents, the country could continue to miss opportunities to discover future champions.
Adeyinka said the forthcoming summit was designed to develop a sustainable national framework for identifying, nurturing and supporting sporting talents across the 774 local government areas.
He added that the gathering would seek practical solutions to the challenges affecting grassroots sports administration rather than focus solely on speeches and ceremonial activities.
A major objective, he explained, was to move away from fragmented talent-discovery initiatives towards a coordinated national structure connecting school and community competitions with clubs, national competitions and international sporting opportunities.
The two-day summit will deliberate on five key areas: sports participation, talent development, infrastructure, the sports economy and international pathways.
Adeyinka expressed optimism that the recommendations from the summit would provide a roadmap for strengthening grassroots sports development, expanding youth participation and positioning sports as a viable contributor to Nigeria’s economic and social development.
He called on relevant stakeholders to support the initiative and work collectively towards building a sustainable grassroots sports system capable of identifying and developing talents across the country.
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