NVBF appoints National U17 Coaches

The Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) has appointed 2003 All African Games silver medallist, Sunny Akapson as Head Coach of the National U17 Girls Team.

Akapson will be assisted by 2003 COJA gold medallist, Priscilla Agera; Bajehson Wahab and Bukola Faremi.

In an exclusive interview with www.aclsports.com, Sunny Akapson said bagging the national appointment is a call of duty to the country.

The All-African Games bronze medallist promised to instil basic techniques into the selected players and brush up their skills for future purposes

He said, “I feel it’s the right appointment because these kids must not miss the basic technique, if they miss it now they will miss it forever. The current technique is what the young players will get.

I am not surprised, rather this is a call that is long overdue, I have been to camp before with the senior national female team, I have won the premier league, and I have won the super cup as a coach. My track records are available for all to see”, he said

Akapson who doubles as coach of the Nigeria Customs Service volleyball team promised to bring his wealth of experience into the national team.

The FIVB Level 1 coach expressed optimism that Nigeria will excel at the forthcoming African U17 Girls Championship in September.

He said “I am privileged to have participated in the African Club Volleyball championship for the past five years, adding to my playing experience and the current FIVB Level one coaching course I attended, I think I am equipped enough to give out current techniques and new coaching methods to a young team.

“I am optimistic that our result will be positive, beside that I do not intend to prepare these young stars for just this championship but also players that will come up in the future to salvage the current challenges we have with our senior female national team.

“Some of my key watch factors in picking out the players are; you must fall under the required age bracket (17yrs ) to be picked, show a sign of an ability to be a team player, be disciplined, ready to work hard, and finally height is an added advantage”.

“There are plans of eliminating fear, suppressing every feeling of intimidation, building and boosting their confidence. Let them know that they have equal chances of winning against any team in the world,”  Akapson said.