Games Village and G-Ranks have been crowned champions of the 2022 National Beach Volleyball Tour in the men and women category respectively in Kaduna on Sunday.
The duo of Obayemi Ogunshina and Hilary Simon of Games Village finished in first position with a total of 857 points and claimed the sum of N300, 000. In second position with 805 points are Uchenna Austin and Peter Jasper of Kada Kings, claiming N250, 000 while Victor Eze and Philip Dawa of Kada Stars finished third position with a total point of 786 and the sum of 200,000.
In the female category, G-Ranks finished first claiming the sum of 300,00 naira; Kada Emeralds placed second place taking home 250,000 naira m while Customs Service placed third, with their efforts securing them 200,000 naira.
An elated Obayemi Ogunshina said all the matches were tough and becoming the champions of the Beach Tour will boost the chances of Nigeria at subsequent international championships.
Ogunshina said Games Village lost to Kada Kings due to fatigue in the last phase held in Kaduna.
He said, “My teammates and I are excited to win the maiden edition of the National Beach Volleyball Tour. It was not easy from the beginning of the tour that took place in Yola, the second phase in Abuja, now Kaduna.
“In Yola and Abuja, G-Ranks were unbeaten but Kada Kings beat us in the third phase due to fatigue. All the matches were tough but we used our experience to ensure we beat other teams.”
He said it is the dream of every player to feature at the Olympic Games including himself.
The Nigeria Police Officer said, “If I and my pair get adequate playing time like this beach tour, we will conquer Africa; it is every dream of every player to play at the Olympic. I am praying earnestly that we play at the Olympics and make Nigeria proud.”
The President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod commended the participating players and promised better organisation in the next edition.
Nimrod who was represented by the Technical Representative of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Chief Martin Melandi revealed that there would be more beach volleyball engagement in 2023.
