Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) volleyball player, Ibrahim Adamu said despite suffering injuries during the league, he had to play in the final against Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the 2019 Nigeria Volleyball Premier League in Abuja.
Adamu told www.aclsports.com that his team played for their names, glory and pride.
He revealed that the tension soaked match made him reckless anytime he was substituted.
The former Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) player said he had an outstanding season in the first phase of the league in Asaba.
Adamu said, “The battle for supremacy in the country is always between Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) and Nigeria Customs (NCS). I remember during the last Premier League, it was a battle between NSCDC and Nigeria Customs Service as the match ended 3-2 in our favour because we played for our names and pride.
“The win against Customs made us finish second position in a keenly contested league; this is what we can call a standard league. I was substituted due to my injury but could not sit down long on the bench due to the tension on the court that night. The final is a game that will forever linger in my heart and I want to say congratulations to Customs once again for winning the league back to back”.
He said, “The 2019 Nigeria Volleyball Premier League was filled with mixed reactions for me. During the first phase in Asaba, Delta state, I was in good shape and in the top form of my life before injury took place; it was a nightmare for me.
“Despite my injury, I helped my team to the best of my abilities during the second phase with my passes and defensive abilities. I managed to play some matches but one of the most fulfilling moments for any player playing in the league is watching your family, fans and friends sitting among the crowd watching you play”.
Adamu said whenever he is ready to return to beach volleyball, he will give his very best to it.
He said. “I played beach volleyball for a while because I wanted to concentrate more on indoor volleyball but if I decide to return to beach volleyball, with constant training I will be among the best and go professional ones more. For now, I am playing beach volleyball for recreation”.
The FCT player revealed that he took volleyball as a recreational sport in Bassa Local Government Council in Plateau state after ditching football.
He said, “The volleyball things started like a joke from secondly school; I never took it serious because football was my best sport. After secondary school while awaiting my SSCE result, I and Shango (NCS player) decide to start playing volleyball for fun in our area in Bassa Local Government Council in Plateau state.
“We started playing inter school games and that was where we were selected to join the junior state team in plateau state; from there I had to further my education. At some point in my life I had to choose between school and volleyball; I stop playing to focus squarely on my education.
“On one faith full day on my way back from school, I came across Bishop Courage aka MOG we had a chat and he encouraged me to play and go to school. To be honest, combining education and sports in Nigeria is not easy at all but I was determined to play volleyball to the highest level and break into the national team”.
“To God be the glory, I wore the colour of Nigeria at the senior national team and I kept on working hard till date. I will always do what makes me happy and one of them is playing volleyball”, he added.
Ibrahim Adamu won his first major tournament with Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in 2003 (Silver medal) at a very young age.
Adamu has won the following tournaments: the 1st edition of the Comptroller General of Customs National open volleyball championship (gold), 2nd edition of the comptroller General of Customs National open volleyball championships (gold), I also emerged best spiker in the 2013 edition; I won bronze medal at the 2012 and 2018 National Sports Festivals respectively.
He also won gold medals at the 2016 and 2018 Ministry of Interior Games (MIGA), gold medals at the Federation of Public Service Games from 2009 to 2012, silver medals at the 2018 and 2019 Nigeria Volleyball Premier League.
