The head coach of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Spikers Volleyball Club, Elishama Elam said he has missed coaching since the lockdown enforced by the Federal Government of Nigeria started.
Elam told www.aclsports.com that the COVID-19 pandemic halted sporting event which in turn affected the players who are the major actors.
He said his teams would have played the first leg of the 2020 Nigeria Volleyball Premier League and will be battling for the top three spots.
Elam said, “I have missed coaching my players because that is what gives me joy. Nobody knew the lockdown caused by the novel COVID-19 will last this long.
“The directive from the Federal Government of Nigeria, enforced by the ministry of sports is affecting the lives of the players. We all know that without the players, no sporting event can happen”.
He further said, “Last year, the COAS spikers men’s team qualified for the 2020 Nigeria Volleyball Premier League and we were battle prepared due to the support from the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai. Both teams (men and women) would have been among the top three teams if the first leg of the league was held”.
The army officer said despite the shutdown of sporting activities, the players engage on regular exercises in their home.
“The players have to stay fit because we do not know when the lockdown will be over. The players in their respective homes are doing exercises individually because they have to stay fit. If the league resumes today, I know we just have to go through some drills and not weight loss”, Elam told www.aclsports.com
