Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development and Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu, Chief Sunday Dare, has applauded the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for investing in the development of young Nigerian volleyball players.
Dare gave the commendation on Monday in Abuja when Adeniyi hosted Nigeria’s beach volleyball players following their historic qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The qualification was secured by Esther Mbah and Pamela Bawa at the 2026 African Beach Volleyball Nations Championship in Alexandria, Egypt, where their impressive performance earned Nigeria its first-ever Olympic ticket in beach volleyball.
Dare praised Adeniyi for going beyond financial support, describing his passion, personal involvement and commitment to the welfare of Nigerian athletes as exceptional.
“When I was minister, if I had B.A. Adeniyi fully in my corner, I would have moved mountains, whether in football, volleyball or any other sport,” Dare said.
He noted that the Customs boss had demonstrated uncommon commitment to sports development by travelling to support Nigerian athletes and personally cheering them on at competitions.
According to Dare, such passion and direct involvement could make a significant difference in Nigeria’s quest for improved performances at international competitions.
He urged more Nigerians to emulate Adeniyi by investing in sports across various disciplines, stressing that the country’s sporting ambitions should not revolve solely around football.
Dare said other sports, particularly volleyball, could provide Nigeria with opportunities to win medals at major international competitions, including the Olympic Games.
He commended the emergence of young volleyball players, describing their progress as evidence of what could be achieved when talented athletes are identified, nurtured and adequately supported.
“Volleyball is a great game. To see these young ones rising and doing great is encouraging,” he said.
The former minister recalled a principle he frequently emphasised during his tenure, saying, “The gold is in the child,” and stressing the need to identify and invest in sporting talents from an early age.
He warned that without adequate support, promising young athletes might never realise their full potential or reach the podium at major international competitions.
“If no one invests in you at this point when you are young, brilliant and strong, you will never make it to the podium,” Dare said.
He congratulated Mbah and Bawa for making history and commended Adeniyi for believing in the young athletes and providing the support that contributed to their success.
Dare expressed confidence that continued investment in young volleyball players would produce even greater results for Nigeria at future international competitions.
