The head coach of Offa VC, Suleiman Ajeigbe told www.aclsports.com says that grassroots developmental programmes are behind the club’s successes including the winning of the 2023 Volleyball Premier League
Offa Volleyball Club men’s team has been crowned champions of the 2023 Nigeria Volleyball Premier League. Offa VC defeated Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) 3-1 (25-18, 22-25, 25-19, 25-17) in the men’s final to retain their title won in the 2022 volleyball season.
Offa Volleyball Club has become the first privately owned club to lift the Nigeria Volleyball Premier League title back to back.
Ajeigbe said most of the players bringing success to the club were discovered in the primary school and nurtured over the years.
He said, “It is neither by our power nor our might but by the creator of heaven and earth; Offa VC gives glory to Allah. I will forever worship my Lord for granting me this unique success at the 2023 Nigeria Volleyball Premier League. It was not easy to defending the title after losing our first two matches”
“We have grassroots developmental programs in Offa and what we do is catch the young children from a tender age. Most of the boys who lifted the trophy today started playing volleyball from Primary school and the result is glaring for the world to see.
“This is a result of hard work plus years of developmental programs; our plan in Offa is to make history with Nigeria Volleyball and I am happy we have done that” he told www.aclsports.com
The National U19 coach said his players playing professional volleyball outside the country will be proud of their teammates.
“I started with grassroots development in volleyball, as some of the players are exiting the club, new ones are replacing them. Two of my players are playing professional volleyball abroad and if they had been here, I’m sure the victory would have been much sweeter. These boys abroad will be proud that without them we won the cup”.
Ajeigbe applauded Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his investing in the team.
He said, “I am sure the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq will be excited with this feat that his investing in Offa VC is not a waste; he has been a father to the club and he has made a lot of commitments as well as promised to them team; by the Grace of God, we will visit the Governor in his office.
“To my community, I am sure they are jubilating already because it has never happened before for a privately owned club to win the title back to back”.
Ajeigbe recognised the efforts of Engineer Musa Nimrod in transforming volleyball in Nigeria.
He said, “I must not fail to commend the President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod for his efforts in ensuring volleyball develops in Nigeria. I can tell you that we are getting to our desired destination.
“There are no sports that can grow without sponsorship. I want to appeal to private individuals and cooperation organisations to come and invest in sports because that is how sports were developed in Europe”.
