The Naval headquarters has rolled out the drums in celebration of the Chief of Naval Staff who won the 2023 Nigeria Volleyball Premier League.
The spikers were hosted at the naval headquarters, Abuja.
CNS Spikers beat Nigeria Correctional Service 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-17) in the final match to record a 100% winning record in the men’s match.
CNS Spikers came first position with a total of 24 points, Nigeria Correctional Service finished second position with a total of 18 points, Kwara United surprisingly placed third position with a cumulative point of 7 points; UCEM of Enugu with a total point of 7 points came fourth while G-Ranks Spikers placed fifth place with a total of 4 points in the men’s National Division 1 League.
Presenting the winning team to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Chairman of the Nigerian Navy Volleyball Association, Commodore MA Muye said Chief of the Naval Staff Spikers Volleyball Club came into existence in 2021 following the approval from NHQ for the yeam to take part in the Nigeria Volleyball League in order to restore NN’s lost glory in sports which has suffered over the years due to series of inactivities.
According to him, “The team, embarked on vigorous training in preparation for competitions at local, national and international with the aim of restoring the NN back on the global map of recognition in the game of Volleyball.
“We wish to sincerely acknowledge and appreciate the assistance of the Chief of the Naval Staff for the magnanimity of giving us the privilege to bring into the Service some of these players courtesy of CNS SPIKERS VOLLEYBALL CLUB. As at today we still have few of them at the NNBTS undergoing training.
“It is gratifying to say that the CNS Spikers has indeed made both the NN and the Nigerian Volleyball Federation very proud from its outstanding performances at the National and International levels just within 2 years of its existence.
“The Team had its first major Championship organized by the Nigerian Volleyball Federation (NVBF) in Kontagora in March 21, where the CNS Spikers Volleyball Club emerged champions in the Male category while the female team came second.
“The CNS Spikers Volleyball Club also won the 2022 National Divisions I and II Volleyball leagues in both the female and male categories despite participating for the very first time.
“The team therefore gained promotion to the National Volleyball Premier league for female and National Division I for male respectively in 2023. Suffice to state here that the male team topped both 1st & 2nd Phases of the National Division 1 league that was played in Owerri, Imo State in Jun 23 and in Kaduna in October 23.
“The male team was unbeaten in all the matches played and were crowned champions in Kaduna in Oct 23. Consequently, the Team has gained promotion to play in the Premier league in 2024.
“The female team also topped the 1st & 2nd Phases of the Premier league played in Abuja in Jul 23 & Nov 23 and have been crowned champions of the National Volleyball Premier league 2023.
“It is also pertinent to mention that the male team won 5 individual awards including the MVP. Likewise, the female won 3 Individual Awards including the MVP.”
Responding, the CNS who was represented by the Chief of Administration, Rear Admiral KC Ezete noted that the navy would continue to support the team to ensure that the victory is sustained.