By Stella Kabruk
Ahead of their international outings to represent Africa at World U-18 and U-19 championships respectively, Nigeria’s teams have assured of better outing during the events.
Speaking at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna where both teams are presently camping, the players captains assure of good representation of the teams during the competition.
Female captain U-18, Onyegwu Unoma -Verity said that they have trained and prepared to make the country and their parents proud.
“We have camped for over a month and are 100 per cent ready,”
“We are happy with all the teaching and training sessions we had with coaches that when we apply, we will be successful during the competition
Male Captain U-19, Jerry Baba -Kinze also expressed optimism of the teams success.
“We are very prepared, and ready to defend our championship titled.
“We are topping Africa and I want to assure Nigerians that we would make them proud.
He said there’s no pressure that the team cannot handle .
“There’s no pressure that our team cannot handle because we have received pressure while playing with other countries at Abuja last year .
“Tension would surely come, but with the training we have received, we will overcome all tension,”
Also speaking Head Coach of U-19 male , Sani Mohammed -Musa said that as African champions, they are set to take on the world.
“We are African champions back-to-back so we hope to Surpass our 2019 record.
“We will be leaving the Country on Thursday and for now our camp is good, no injuries, the children are disciplined, no cases of indiscipline,”
He said that between 2019 and now, the coaches have also Improved themselves knowledge wise and were able to impact to all the players.
He added that the players are new, which is an added advantage to the teams.
Assist Coach female U-18, Rakiya Mohammed, said that they are prepared for the competition.
“We are very prepared for this tournament due to support given to us and early camping.
“We are not only representing Nigeria, but Africa and we are morally sound.
She said the Chairman ensure they have a standard to set by ensuring the girls are all tall.
She added that the selection of the players was based on performance at the zonal competition.
“Seventy per cent of girls used during the nation’s cup are no longer here, we have groomed taller players that would give us better results,” she said.
In another contribution, Chairman Caretaker Committee of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod said he is confident about the quality of players to give results at both world competitions.
“Both teams are going for the world championship. The U-18 players going to Mexico by end of September while
U-19 will be going to Iran for world championship on August 19.
“They are new brand vibrant in the next two years they would be ready to take on the world.
“You can see they are young boys and girls and would represent the country well.
“The coaches have put in their best. Sports is not just for Government, as federation we are doing our best to assist the government.
“The U-19 leaving on 19 August. No funds no official is going with them. they are only going with the coaches. The only resources available, we had to channel into the players and coaches. So far, we have finished all arrangements for the U-19.
Nimrod explained that currently, the country is leading in Volleyball ranking in Africa, alongside Egypt, followed by Cameroon.
“Nigeria is strong and other countries are scared of us in Africa,” he said.
He said the NVBF had to scout for them for from the zonal competition recently held across the country.
“We went down to the zones, put in resources and came up with brand new female U-18 players.
“I stand by the female U-18 players because we look forward to a brand new national team.
“A lot of them started from the National Youth Games. We are glad we stood our grounds that NYG should feature only U-15 and it has paid off,” he added.
He however, appealed to corporate organisations and public spirited individuals to come and support the teams.
“Even the tickets are expensive, none in cheap, with support, Nigeria will do better,” he added.
NAN