NAN-S-8
Handball
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, May 23, 2017 (NAN) Fidelis Obi, a retired coach, says state handball associations need to be proactive in planning programmes to sustain the sport’s development.
Obi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that such a situation would help to reduce their dependence on their national body for survival.
NAN reports that the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) is the sport’s governing body in the country, with the state handball associations affiliated to it.
Obi, who retired from the Niger State Handball Association (NSHA), said such programmes would not only benefit the associations as a whole but the players particularly.
“They will go a long way in helping the players to be more familiar with the sport’s rules, and they will also be more prepared for series of national championships,’’ the retired coach said.
Obi also said state associations needed to help their players by showing more commitment in ensuring that programmes are readily available to keep players busy with activities ahead of national championships.
“It will be a credit to any state that practises such, and it will reflect in their performances at nationally-organised championships.
“Coaches and referees are fully aware that it is fundamental to upgrade players on modern techniques in order to boost their skills as a team,’’ he added.
The retired coach said this was a way for the state associations to work together with the HFN to make the sport attractive among all netball sports.
He advised that technical officials who would be responsible for the players’ training should undergo refresher courses.
“Whenever championships are not forthcoming from the parent body, the states should be able to make up, so that the system does not collapse,’’ Obi added.
He also said emphasis should be placed on the grassroots and age-grade categories of the sport.
“They are good platforms to identify raw talents who can be nurtured to stardom,’’ Obi said.(NAN)
MIL/COF/OLAL
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(Edited by Oluyinka Fadare and Olawale Alabi)