The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, has committed to supporting the continued growth of volleyball in Nigeria.
Adeniyi made this pledge during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Comptroller General of Customs Volleyball Premier League in Abuja.
He highlighted the positive impact of the Premier League on Nigerian youth, noting that it had brought together over 1,000 young people from across the country.
“We are proud to sponsor this season’s Nigeria Volleyball Premier League, and we are equally grateful for the support from the Volleyball Federation and the broader volleyball community,” Adeniyi stated.
“These past two weeks have been filled with excitement and entertainment. Watching young talents showcase their skills and dedication has been truly inspiring. The enthusiasm and admiration from the crowd confirm the success of the event.”
The Customs CG emphasized the significance of the tournament, which saw participation from approximately 12 female and 12 male teams, totaling nearly 600 athletes.
He added, “This event has engaged not just the players, but coaches, officials, and federation members, all of whom played vital roles in its success. It has provided an avenue for young people to channel their energy into sports, steering them away from crime and towards personal development.”
Adeniyi further pointed out the importance of the league in uncovering new talent.
“This platform is key for discovering athletes who could represent Nigeria on the international stage. In recent years, our teams have faced challenges in qualifying for major tournaments, but I believe this initiative marks a turning point for Nigerian volleyball.”
As a gesture of encouragement for the participating teams, the Customs CG donated two volleyballs to each of the 24 teams at the Premier League.
The 2024 CGC Volleyball Premier League, which unfolded in two exciting phases, concluded at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. The winners in both the male and female categories took home a combined prize pool of over ₦24 million.
In the male category, the champions received ₦5 million, with the second and third place teams earning ₦4 million and ₦3 million, respectively. The female category followed the same prize structure, ensuring gender parity in the rewards.
Teams that did not finish on the podium received ₦500,000 each. Additionally, each team was awarded ₦300,000 as a players’ grant and another ₦300,000 as a team grant. This brought the total to ₦1.1 million for teams that finished in 4th to 12th place.
In addition, the 24 teams will receive one net each that has been paid for when they arrive.
