A Nigerian volleyball player, Olusola Balogun (aka Sixty) has called for better payment of players with clubs across the country in the domestic league, Sports247 reports.
While disclosing that he has not played for any volleyball club in recent years, Balogun admitted he could be tempted back if he sees that the current sordid payment structure has improved.
The smooth-talking spikes star disclosed this during ‘Athletes Corner’ segment on Sports247’s television programme, Inside Naija Sports, in which he recalled that fate played a huge role for his advent into active volleyball.
Balogun recalled, “I actually played football before I switched to volleyball. I started playing football from a young age at Ebute Metta … Oko Baba, to be precise. After that, I soon joined a team called Jogo Bonito, the Brazilian soccer school.
“I used to enjoy their training at the National Stadium in Surulere, but I later joined BRF Youth Football Academy … named after the former governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola.
“I soon noticed that many of us were playing football, but we were not moving forward fast enough. We were all playing hard, but when you don’t have the connection and the money, it’s always difficult to get your breakthrough.
“I had to play smart and seek a way out. Fortunately, I got lucky one day when I went to watch a friend of mine who was a boxer at Rowe Park. On getting there, I saw some kids playing volleyball.
“They were preparing for secondary school games. I made enquiries and decided to join them the next day. As God would have it, the strength in me that I had developed through football helped me. I was able to hit the ball hard, and the coach was amazed.
“They gave me 20 balls to serve, and I hit 18 of them very well. The coach quickly said they needed me in the team, and that’s how my journey in volleyball began.”
Balogun, who now only plays volleyball for leisure, further recalled that he was able to learn the rules and skills of the spikers’ game quickly, because he had a lot interest in it at that time; to the existent that he even used it in gaining admission to the University of Lagos.
“I started picking interest in the game, and I learnt all the techniques of jumping, serving, passing, spikes and smashes. I even entered the University of Lagos through my games in volleyball.
“Being an athlete and studying human kinetics gave me the privilege to do sports and face academics at the same time. I started with a diploma and then moved to a degree programme, while I was also plsying for UNILAG’s volleyball team.
“My parents did not know how I got into UNILAG. That’s one thing I gained through volleyball. It also helped me learn more about life and to visit many places outside Lagos.
“I played for Lagos State through their Adopt-A-Talent programme, which took me to Oturkpo with the under-18 team. We also came back with a gold medal from the National Youth Games.
“I won bronze with the under-17 team and later played in the maiden Nigerian Premier Volleyball League qualifiers. I played for Elite Spikers of Lagos, but we placed third and did not qualify.
“Eventually, I decided not to play in the league because the pay was not good. There’s a need for better pay in the league.
“Despite that, my message for every young player out there is to stay in it with hope. Things are really getting better in the volleyball league.
“I am happy to say that Customs are paying their players well. Some are earning N200,000 or even N300,000 a month.
“Things are getting better; to the extent that I’m even thinking of returning to play volleyball actively. It’s actually a game that helps you develop your brain. Just like chess,” Balogun submitted enthusiastically.
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