Niger Delta Games : Imo State Scoops Volleyball Golds

Imo State Wednesday showed why it’s one of the best volleyball playing states in the country as it’s men and women teams won the gold medals of volleyball event at the ongoing 2nd Niger Delta Games being hosted by Edo State.

The event decided at the Wire Road Sports Complex, Benin City, the Edo State capital saw the men team beating their Edo State counterparts in a very tough encounter by 3-1 of 26 -24, 25-22, 21-25 and 25- 23 to win the gold medal

In the women category, Imo girls recorded a 3-1 victory of 25-12, 25-10, 20- ,25 and 25-8 against the host state Edo to ensure the state take the two gold medals at stake in volleyball.

Also in the men third place match, Abia State defeated Ondo by 3-2 of 25 -19, 15- 25, 18- 25, 15-5 and 25- 18 to win the bronze while Rivers State in a one sided encounter, defeated Abia State 3-0 of 25-16 , 25-22 and 25-17 to win the women bronze medal.

Speaking after the matches, an excited Imo State Coach, Chidiebere Ahiabuike, noted that’s not easy beating the host state, describing his teams victories as evidence of hard work and good technical input and that his players, played to instruction.

He commended NDDC and Dunamis Icon Limited for putting together the Games which has led to the discovery of talented youths.

In his own remarks, Coach of Edo State male team, Edosa, Aye, attributed his team’s defeat to lack of concentration but was quick to add, that he see many of them becoming house hold names in volleyball in the future.

” My team lost the finals due to lack of concentration and poor knowledge of the technicalities of the game. You know many of them are young and are playing their first major tournament and that affected their performance.

” We were not really good in the first two sets but in the third set we were able to rally round and win the set. And going into the fourth set, we probably thought things will work out fine but unfortunately, we got it wrong, but I believe that with time, they’ll improve on their game.

The ex- international who is a professional volleyball coach in France was full of gratitude to NDDC and Dunamis Icon Limited for the Games which he believes is achieving it’s objectives of talent discovery in the Niger Delta region.

” I want to commend NNDC and Dunamis Icon Limited for the Games because it’s good for the region and seeing them come into sports gives me a lot of joy and I hope that the next edition will be better

Addressing journalists after his state’s victory, Imo State Commissioner of Sports, Hon Obinna Evarestus Onyeocha, commended the players for keeping to their words of winning Volleyball Gold at the Games.

” I’m highly excited with the performance of the teams because prior to the Games, they promised to dominate volleyball in Edo State and am happy, they kept to their promise.

“The players deserve commendation for their skills and fighting spirit which made them win two gold medals in both the male and female events.

According to him, the victories is an indication that Imo State is a leading volleyball playing state in the country just as he attributed their victories to the transformation which the Senator Hope Uzodinma administration is carrying out in sports in the state.

“We’ re proud of their achievement which is an evidence of the transformation Imo State sports is witnessing under my state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma and we’ll continue to sustain the momentum”, he assured.

” It’s equally important I commend NDDC and Dunamis Icon Limited for this wonderful initiative which has helped in sports development and talent discovery in the entire Niger Delta region and I urge other corporate organisations to emulate them”, he concluded.

Also in the women handball finals, Team Imo once again showed their class by beating Team Edo 24-23 to win the handball gold.