Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Spikers and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Spikers emerged champions of the 2022 Kontagora Invitational Challenge in the men and women category respectively.
Chief of Naval Staff beat Games Village 3-0 (29-27, 25-21, 25-19) in the men’s final while COAS Spikers beat debutants, Chief of Naval Staff 3-0 (25-17, 25-14, 25-22) to retain their title in the women’s category.
COAS Spikers finished third place in men’s category while Nigeria Ravens placed third position in the women’s category.
Captain of CNS, Dikiya Morris said, “I feel excited and great for Chief of Naval Staff winning this trophy.
“Our first appearance in the Kontagora Invitational Challenge and we did marvelously well; unbeaten till we got to the finals against Games Village.”
Morris said CNS have young and experienced players that can lift the club from the National Division 2 League to the Premier League
He said, “Winning the Most Valuable Player (MVP) means a lot of me. Hard work pays and it showed on the court of play throughout the competition. I will maintain this form till I lift my team to the Nigeria Volleyball Premier League.”
The coordinator of CNS Spikers, Commodore Aliyu Pindar attributed the performance of the teams to hard work and the support of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo who has resolved to reposition sports in the Nigeria Navy.
Commodore Pindar said, “We give glory to God and the Chief of Naval Staff for his great support to have encouraged the players, motivated them in high spirit to perform well in this competition.
“37 teams participated in the men and women’s category; CNS emerged 1st position in the men’s category while the women’s team placed second position. This is just the beginning of our success story in the volleyball federation; CNS is back. Like I said, present Chief of Naval Staff is out to reposition the Nigeria Navy so that we can restore our lost glory in sports.”
For the Captain of COAS Spikers, Ijeoma Ukpabi said, “I feel really good and was not in doubt of victory because COAS Spikers could not stand the Chief of Naval Staff (women’s team) attending a competition in a decade and beat COAS Spikers that participates regularly in championships.
“We are ranked third in Nigeria Volleyball Premier league and there is no way we are coming second in an invitational; COAS Spikers did all within its power to lift the title.”
