The Sports Secretary of the Nigeria Customs Service, SAMUEL ONIKEKU has said the chances of Nigeria qualifying for the Olympics in the women’s beach volleyball event is bright.
Speaking to newsmen, ONIKEKU said the crop of players paraded by the country can compete anywhere in the world.
According to ONIKEKU most of the players in the women’s team have been playing together in high profile competition for the past three years.
The ex-international said: “I have a strong conviction that Nigeria women’s beach volleyball team stands a chance of qualifying for Tokyo 2020 Olympics. We are through to the final round of the qualifiers series after three other countries in our pool failed to turn up.
“If you look at the current players in the beach volleyball team, you will see that they have been playing together for more than three years.
“ From the Carmtel International Championship in Cameroon to the African Nations Cup held in Nigeria to the World Cup in Germany to the African Games in Morocco and many others.
“They have exhibited high level of togetherness and even play as pairs in national tournaments held in the country.
“Asides the commitments made by the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, the Nigeria Customs Service has also played its role in ensuring that the players are in top shape before they are called up for national camping”.
He however hailed the leadership of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation for accepting to host the second round of the second round of CAVB Continental Cup.
“In the past, Nigeria travel miles to attend the qualifiers but we are excited that this time around, other African countries are in Nigeria for the Olympic qualifiers. We hope to see more from the leadership of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation”, ONIKEKU added
Nigeria women’s BEACH VOLLEYBALL team has qualified for the final round of the Olympic qualifiers.