Lilian Sobere shone as the star player in Team Bayelsa’s thrilling 2-0 victory over Imo State, but her journey to success was far from easy. Behind her powerful spikes and confident plays lies a story of struggle, doubt, and ultimate triumph.
Speaking to NDSF Media at the ongoing festival, Sobere revealed that she only began playing volleyball five years ago—and nearly walked away from the sport just two years later.
“I’m really happy to be where I am today. Volleyball has taken me to incredible places, but there was a time I felt so frustrated that I wanted to quit,” she confessed.
Her early days in the sport were filled with setbacks.
“When I first started, I trained hard, but I wasn’t very good. We kept losing matches, and nothing seemed to be working,” Lilian recalled.
The pressure mounted when her parents questioned her commitment.
“They would ask me, ‘What’s the point of playing if you keep losing?’ Their words hurt, and I almost gave up.”
Looking back, Lilian is grateful she pushed through the tough times.
“I’m proud of my progress. Since then, I’ve played for the National Team, competed in major tournaments, and even won MVP awards. If I had quit, I would’ve missed all of this.”
Ironically, volleyball wasn’t even part of her original plan.
“I never imagined I’d become a volleyball player,” she admitted. “Five years ago, a coach visited my secondary school and spotted me. That’s how my journey began.”
Now, representing Bayelsa at the Niger Delta Sports Festival, Lilian and her team are determined to leave their mark.
“We’re here to enjoy the game, but we’re also playing to win. There’s passion, there’s pride—we’re giving it everything.”
Her story is a powerful reminder: success isn’t just about talent—it’s about resilience. And for Lilian Sobere, perseverance turned frustration into glory.
