Nigeria’s U-18 Beach Volleyball Coach, John Iwerima, has commended the performance of players, Joy Lawrence and Ifechukwu Odoh, at the Saly, Senegal, championships.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lawrence and Odoh won the U-18 Beach Volleyball Championship after defeating hosts Senegal 2-0 in Thursday’s final.
The Nigerian pair dominated the opening set from the outset, displaying superior coordination and attacking play to secure a convincing 21-8 victory.
Senegal improved significantly in the second set and attempted to level the contest before their home supporters.
However, Lawrence and Odoh remained composed under pressure and maintained control to seal the set 21-10 and claim the championship.
The victory capped an impressive campaign for the Nigerian duo, who demonstrated consistency and determination throughout the tournament.
Speaking on arrival at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Coach Iwerima praised the players’ fighting spirit and commitment.
“The players showed great resilience and determination throughout the competition.
“This victory is a clear indication that Nigeria has one of the best developmental programmes in Africa,” he said.
Iwerima noted that the triumph reflected the effectiveness of grassroots development efforts and the growing strength of youth volleyball in Nigeria.
President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Musa Nimrod, also congratulated the players for their outstanding achievement in Senegal.
Nimrod said: “The future of beach volleyball in Nigeria is very bright.
“We will continue to focus on underage competitions because that is how we can build stronger senior women’s teams for the future.”
He said sustained investment in youth competitions would help Nigeria develop a steady pipeline of talented players for international competitions.
The federation believes the latest success will further encourage participation in beach volleyball and strengthen Nigeria’s standing on the African stage.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo