By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) men’s and women’s volleyball teams have emerged champions of the third Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Volleyball Premier League, completing a remarkable double after defeating their respective opponents in the finals in Abuja on Thursday.
The Customs men defeated the Nigeria Police Force 3-1, while the women’s team recorded an identical 3-1 victory over COAS Spikers to claim both championship titles.
In the women’s final, Customs dominated the opening two sets 25-13 and 25-15 before COAS Spikers fought back to take the third set 25-17. However, the Customs women regained their momentum in the fourth set, winning 25-19 to seal the title.
The men’s team also demonstrated resilience, recovering from a 25-22 loss in the opening set against the Nigeria Police Force to win the next three sets 25-18, 25-23 and 25-22.
Speaking after the competition, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Suleiman Chiroma, who represented the Comptroller-General, Bashir Adeniyi, commended the partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), describing the competition as an important platform for developing talent and preparing athletes for international challenges.
Chiroma highlighted the competition’s reward structure, with champions in both categories receiving ₦5 million each, runners-up taking home ₦3 million apiece and third-placed teams earning ₦2 million each. Teams finishing between fourth and 12th positions will receive ₦500,000 each, while individual award winners, including the Most Valuable Players, will get ₦100,000.
Meanwhile, President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Musa Nimrod, praised the Nigeria Customs Service for sustaining its sponsorship of the competition for three consecutive editions, noting improvements in the standard of play, viewership and followership.
Nimrod also disclosed that the federation had opened the domestic league to foreign players, provided they obtain the required International Transfer Certificates, in a move aimed at improving competition and raising the standard of volleyball in Nigeria.
He added that teams would proceed to Abia State in November for the Division One and Division Two competitions ahead of the National Sports Festival, while the federation continues preparations for other international assignments, including next year’s Under-19 World Championship.
Earlier, Director of Sports of the Nigeria Customs Service, Samuel Onikeku, attributed the double triumph to improved preparation, investment in player recruitment and increased exposure to regional and continental competitions.
Onikeku disclosed that the Comptroller-General of Customs had directed the establishment of an open camp to recruit new players following weaknesses identified in both teams during a previous club championship.
He expressed satisfaction with the results of the investment, particularly the men’s team’s return to the summit of the domestic league, and assured that the service would continue to set higher targets for its athletes.
Meanwhile, men’s team captain Philip Ayobami described the triumph as exciting, attributing the team’s success to discipline, resilience, consistent training and hard work. He noted that the journey through the different phases of the competition was challenging but expressed delight at winning the title in his first season as captain.
The women’s team captain Nworie Bethel also described the victory as incredible, acknowledging the contributions of the players, coaching staff and management. She said commitment, discipline and hard work were central to the team’s success, while appreciating the financial motivation and institutional support from the Customs leadership.
The third edition of the CGC Volleyball Premier League further reinforces the growing partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Volleyball Federation in strengthening domestic volleyball and creating opportunities for Nigerian athletes.
