Exposure
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, April 11, 2018 (NAN) An international handball referee, Sikiru Ahmed, has described the ongoing Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) organised U-12/U-15 National Handball Championships as good way to expose budding players across the nation.
Ahmed made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the championships venue, Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos, where 15 states featured their teams in the categories.
“This HFN board have started in the right direction because grassroots is the heartbeat of any sport which must be given priority.
“Players in the participating teams have been able to exploit this platform to compete with their peers and most importantly, gained the needed exposure that will enhance their skill,’’ he said.
He urged the body to intensify efforts to sustain the championships which would go a long way to promote the sport and encourage the budding talents.
While applauding the Lagos State Handball Association (LSHA), host of the championships for providing the basics, he described the body as hospitable.
“There is need to help these upcoming players to achieve their career by making this competition ground available with the support of corporate organisation and individuals.
“Kudos to LSHA, the championships is well organised, they are friendly, always helping out and making sure that their visitors are comfortable and that is the spirit,’’ he added.
NAN reports some results from the tournament are: U-15 boys where Ogun beat Kano 28-17, Niger vs Rivers 19-13, girls U-15: Lagos vs Niger 26-5, FCT vs Adamawa 27-21, U-12 girls: Ekiti vs Kogi 5-14, boys U-12 Kebbi vs Ogun 11-10.
NAN also reports that the championships holding from April 6 to April 15 is part of HFN programmes to identity raw talents at the grassroots. (NAN)
MIL/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)