LAGOS – United Christian Secondary School (UCSC), Apapa and International School Lagos (ISL) on Monday won the boys and girls first match respectively in the ongoing 2014 Lagos State Sports Festival, “Ibile Games.’’
The UCSC defeated Abibatu Mogaji Millennium Senior Secondary School, Agege 2-0, while ISL beat New Era Girls Secondary School, Surulere also 2-0.
Coach Abel Okoro of UCSC told NAN after the victory that the school would maintain the tempo to emerge volleyball boys overall champions in the Games.
“We are determined to maintain the tempo having started on a good note. We will continue to improve on the attacking strategy of the team.
“I am laying emphasis on attack because it is the best form of defence,” Okoro said.
The Captain of UCSC, Isiaka Usman, 17, an SSS II player, told NAN that his team was nervous in the first match because of lack of experience.
“Eventually, we are able to contain our nervousness, steady our state of mind and humble our opponents,’’ Usman said.
Coach Oluseyi Erinola of Abibatu Mogaji said that his team was unperturbed by their loss.
“This is only the first stage and we still have plenty of time to make it right. We now know where to work on to improve our team works in subsequent matches.
“We still have two more matches to improve on our ratings and keep us in the game till we get to the final,” Erinola said.
The Captain of Abibatu Mogaji, Leonard Mbah, 17, said that their loss exposed their weaknesses which, he said, included poor blocking techniques.
Mbah, however, remained confident that with more composure in subsequent matches they would emerge victorious at the end of the competition
The Games which started on April 30 in different centres across the state will end on May 11 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos. (NAN)
