2028 Olympics: Customs Boss Adeniyi Pledges Full Support for Nigeria’s Beach Volleyball Queens

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

ABUJA, NIGERIA – The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has assured Nigeria’s historic beach volleyball heroines of unwavering backing as they kick-start their preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The pledge was made in Abuja when CGC Adeniyi hosted the sensational national pair, Pamela Bawa and Esther Mbah. The dynamic duo clinched a gold medal and secured the country’s first-ever ticket to the Olympic beach volleyball event at the 2026 African Beach Volleyball Nations Championship in Alexandria, Egypt.

A Milestone Triumph Rooted in Discipline

Reflecting on their stellar performance which included sweet revenge over Morocco in the final after a group stage stumble Adeniyi noted that the historic qualification proved how proper motivation, discipline, and strategic investment can yield monumental results.

The Customs Comptroller-General challenged the players to maintain their fierce competitive hunger as they transition from continental champions to global contenders.

“You have shown that it is possible. You beat two African teams to qualify. You have shown that it is possible in big competitions. With better coordination, better planning and the most strategic approach, I am sure within the next two years we can break that dominance. And those who will do it are people like you. We cannot wait to get you to that moment where you will rule Africa and you will rule the world,” Adeniyi stated.

The Success of the VIPERS Project

Highlighting the structural framework behind the athletes' success, Adeniyi pointed to the establishment of the Customs-backed VIPERS team. Designed to scout and nurture raw talent, the initiative has successfully bridged grassroots sports and elite competition, driving the team from the National Division One to the Premiership and ultimately producing Nigeria's latest global ambassadors.

He commended Mbah and Bawa for maximizing the platform provided by the Service, recalling how he closely monitored their gripping campaign in Egypt, which featured high-stakes victories over host nation Egypt in the semi-finals and Morocco in the showdown.

Comprehensive Roadmap to Los Angeles 2028

Looking ahead, CGC Adeniyi promised that preparations for the 2028 Summer Games will commence without delay. He outlined plans to collaborate closely with team technical handlers to organize rigorous exposure tours, high-performance training matches, and analytical studies of previous Olympic medalists to narrow the gap against international powerhouses.

“I wanted you to take this same determination, this same preparedness and this desire for glory to the Olympics, and you can be sure that we’ll give you all the support that will give you a podium finish during the Olympics in 2028. I can promise you that everything that you need to do just that, we will give it to you,” Adeniyi assured.

With comprehensive welfare packages and specialized training grants championed by key stakeholders like the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria's beach volleyball queens are poised to turn their continental dominance into an unforgettable global outing in Los Angeles.