NAN-S-3
Handball
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, March 27, 2017 (NAN) Yusuf Dauda, President, Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN), has described as impressive players’ performances at the ongoing Samuel Ortom National Open Male and Female Championships at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the HFN-organised championships which are featuring 21 teams began on March 19 and will end on March 29.
The 10-day event is sponsored by the Benue State Government.
Dauda said that such performances were a proof that state teams and clubs were proactive in training their players consistently in spite of irregular championships due to lack of sponsors.
“I am delighted by the championships because our major challenge has been conquered through this sponsorship of Gov. Samuel Ortom, who has made this event a reality and successful.
“My impression of players’ performances at the event cannot be explained.
“In short, I am thrilled by the skills they are exhibiting even as a team which makes the standard of the competition very high.
“I applaud the states and clubs for their commitment, and for keeping faith even when such competitions were scarce and sponsors were not forthcoming,’’ he said.
Dauda said he was satisfied with the turnout and commended the states and clubs for the extra efforts they made to participate in the tournament.
According to him, such competitions serves as an enabling platform for players to be exposed, exhibit their skills, socialise and as an opportunity to get identified for further tasks.
“The turnout is encouraging; it has made the championships competitive.
“And this has helped the players themselves to gain the required exposure to improve their form as a team and individually.
“They are happy as they have interacted, socialised and learned more techniques to improve their form, while we have our mission of boosting their morale.
“The technical committee is working in the course of team’s performances and has been able to identify some outstanding players which is one of the purposes of this championships.”
Dauda said the championships were part of the federation’s build-up programme ahead of 2017 Club Championships, an event of the Confederation of Africa Handball (CAHB) proposed for later in the year. (NAN)
MIL/FLP/PDE
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(Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Peter Ejiofor)