Volleyball: Naval chief hails Spikers team over Winning Streak

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo, has hailed  CNS Spikers Male Team for emerging winners of  National Volleyball Division 1 League in Owerri, Imo.

This is contained in a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Ayo-Vaughan said that the team had maintained its long-term winning streak by defeating all the teams with 3 – 0 win margin.

He said that CNS Spikers defeated Nigeria Correctional Service Team 3 – 0 (25 – 20, 25 – 21, 25 – 19) at the indoor hall of Dan Ayiam Stadium on June 10.

According to him, the representative of the CNS at the competition and Chairman of FCT Volleyball Association, Commodore Aliyu Pindar, commended the players for maintaining the unbeaten run in Division 1.

“The remarkable performance of the CNS Spikers team is attributed to the immense support of the naval chief.

“It has enabled the team to participate and gain exposure across Africa over the last 18 months.

“Commodore Pindar said the level of motivation enjoyed by the team from the CNS over time resulted in the overwhelming feat recorded at Owerri.

“He assured the Federation that the second phase of the league will witness better performance going by the excellent unbroken records by the team in local and international competitions.

“It is gladdening to note that the team played a total of 16 matches; 12 in the Division 2, and 4 in Division 1 without dropping a set.

“Commodore Pindar assured the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) of the team’s resolve to make the country proud in all competitive games be it, local, regional or international appearances,” he said.

Ayo-Vaughan said the team had at various competitions showcased themselves creditably.

He said the male team won the Kontagora Championship in March, while the female team came second in the tournament which 37 teams in Nigeria participated.

According to him, the team win the most valuable Player for male and Best Setter male at Kontagora.

“In May, the female team was nominated by the NVBF to represent Nigeria at the Africa Women Volleyball Championship in Kelibia, Tunisia.

“The CNS Spikers teams were the only volleyball club that represented Nigeria in the 2023 African Club Volley Championship held in Tunisia.

“The teams were commended for the international recognition accorded Nigeria for sporting activities having emerged 7th and 9th positions in the female and male categories among the 15 Final Standing participating teams.

“It is also on record that the CNS Spikers team broke the 38 years’ jinx of Armed Forces of Nigeria volleyball teams not attaining levels deserving of representing the nation at international championships,” he added.

The spokesman said the navy under the leadership of Vice Adm. Gambo would continue to support the development of sports in the country.

 

(NAN)