Sports

Why We Are Injecting Young Blood in the Customs Team – Onikeku

Published

3 months ago

July 17, 2025

Joel Ajayi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is undergoing a strategic renewal of its women’s volleyball team as part of efforts to reclaim dominance on the African volleyball stage.

The NCS Head of Sports, Samuel Onikeku, said that, the ongoing revamp is focused on infusing young talent to address performance gaps and ensure long-term competitiveness.

Speaking in Abuja at the conclusion of a rigorous two-week screening and selection exercise, Onikeku explained the rationale behind the recruitment of younger players into the squad.

“Injecting young blood into the team is a deliberate step,” Onikeku said. “We observed that since our impressive outing at the 2021 African Club Championship, we’ve struggled to maintain that level. This screening allowed us to identify areas we fell short in the past and bring in players who can offer the energy, hunger, and technical depth needed to succeed again.”

He emphasized the need to avoid the kind of mass retirement that recently affected the men’s team, leaving a vacuum in experience and continuity. “We don’t want the same thing to happen to the women’s team. That’s why we’ve taken this proactive step—bringing in promising young athletes who can grow into the system and secure the team’s future.”

The selection process saw an initial pool of 20 players screened, with 16 advancing based on performance and potential. Onikeku noted that the final list of successful players would be announced soon.

“We are not just building a team for the next competition; we are building a team for sustained success,” he added. “When the next African Club Championship comes around, the volleyball world will see a different Customs team—young, dynamic, and proudly Nigerian.”

Supporting Onikeku’s position, Coach Ajaegbe, one of the team’s technical staff, acknowledged that the last outing at the African Club Championship did not reflect the team’s true strength. However, he said the new direction signals a turning point.

“Our aim is to produce a team that Africa will admire—a team that showcases Nigeria’s potential and spirit,” Ajaegbe stated. “We’re developing these young players technically and tactically to meet the standards that Customs is known for.”
He reiterated that only players who meet the high standards of the Nigeria Customs Service will be selected, expressing confidence in the future of the squad.

“With what we’ve seen from these young players, the future looks promising,” Ajaegbe affirmed. With renewed energy, clear planning, and a strong focus on youth development, the Nigeria Customs women’s volleyball team is poised for a powerful comeback on the African stage.

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Sports

FCT FA Board Member Urges Grassroots Reform, Hopeful For Super Eagles World Cup Qualification

Published

12 hours ago

October 5, 2025

The Gleamer

Legal Practitioner And Administrator Barr Bucknor Threatens To Petition FCT Minister Over Abandoned Stadiums

Despite Nigeria’s precarious position in the race for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Barrister Babatunde Burknor, a board member of the FCT Football Association (FA), remains hopeful that the Super Eagles can still secure qualification.

Nigeria currently sits third in their qualification group with 11 points from 8 matches, trailing Benin Republic and South Africa, who both lead with 14 points. Yet Burknor, a seasoned football administrator and grassroots sports advocate, believes all is not lost.

In a recent interview made available to BSN Sports, Burknor said: “Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may appear almost impossible, but that doesn’t mean it is out of reach. The situation is tough, yes, but looking at the quality of players in our squad, I still believe we can make it.”

He added that unexpected results from other group rivals could work in Nigeria’s favour.

“Football is unpredictable. There is still a chance that South Africa, Benin Republic, or Rwanda could drop points. If we win our remaining two games, we still stand a chance. Sometimes football reflects life where the strong may fall while the seemingly weak stand tall.”

Calls for Grassroots Reform in the FCT

Beyond national team concerns, Burknor also used the opportunity to address the state of sports development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urging the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to take concrete action to revamp local infrastructure.

“We have deep-rooted problems when it comes to grassroots sports. The major issue is a lack of funding and commitment from those charged with driving development at that level,” he said.

Burknor lamented the disappearance of once-thriving youth competitions like the Chairman’s Cup, Principal’s Cup, and Shell Cup, stating that such events played a crucial role in identifying and nurturing young talent.

“It’s disheartening that these programs are no longer active. Development is impossible without facilities, yet we lack even basic training grounds.”

The legal luminary revealed that he personally upgraded the sports facility at a government secondary school in his area to serve as a makeshift training centre, due to the absence of a functioning local stadium.

He is currently drafting a petition to Minister Wike, over abandoned stadiums in FCT, urging a comprehensive audit of officials responsible for sports development across the six Area Councils of the FCT.

Progress in Gwagwalada Football Development

As Vice Chairman of the Gwagwalada Football Council, Burknor highlighted the success of the Gwagwalada Football League, which has become a model for other Area Councils.

“In just two years, we’ve turned the Gwagwalada Football League into a success story. Several players from the league have already secured contracts in Europe. This shows what can be achieved with vision and consistency.”

Barrister Burknor, emphasized that grassroots football holds the key to Nigeria’s long-term football success and must be taken seriously.

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