Victory
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, April 15, 2018 (NAN) Bukola Duru, the coach of Lagos State Handball Association (LSHA), has applauded the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) for repositioning the sport from the grassroots.
The New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the HFN organised the just concluded National U-12/15 Handball Championships held in Lagos from April 6 to 15.
Duru told NAN that the state had remained dedicated in its responsibility, while its programmes under the coaching of seasoned officials had produced sets of young players in various categories.
“We are happy to have this new board under the leadership of Sam Ocheho, who really knows the importance of grassroots development and backing it with these U-12/15 championships.
“I am sure that I am speaking the mind of my colleagues because states teams’ participation in the championships confirms that their youths have longed for the event.
“We run sessions of trainings for players.
“It has helped us to generate sets of players in the U-12 and U-15 categories and this is the major secret of our outstanding performance in these championships.
“With this first step, I strongly believe that the long awaited desire to make competitions part of our development will be achieved, even earlier than anticipated,’’ she said.
Duru attributed the U-15 boys and girls victory that lifted the just concluded championships trophies to consistent training sessions conducted by knowledgeable technical officials.
According to her, the system improved the players’ abilities and got them prepared ahead of the championships.
“We trained even, when competitions were not visible, believing that something will come up.
“Finally, our expectations have come to limelight and we are fulfilled,” she said.
NAN reports that the championships, which featured 15 states, had the Most Valuable Players as Aliu Rufai (U-12 boys), Salomon Olamide (U-12 girls), Faloki Christian (U-15boys) and Babatunde Taiwo (U-15 boys).
It had, in the best goalkeeper categories, Musa Hassan (U-22 boys); Suliat Rasaq (U-12 girl); Mohammed Ibrahim (U-15 boys) and Elizabeth Otodo (U-15 female).
The highest goal scorers were Aliu Rufai with 61 goals (U-12 boys); Obi Juba 20 goals (U-12 female); Bello Abubakar 58 goals (U-15 boys) and Babatunde Taiwo with 45 goals (U-15 girls).
Lagos emerged winner in the U-15 girls and boys categories.
In the U-12 boys, Sokoto took the 1st position, Lagos 2nd and Kebbi 3rd; the U-12 girls had Ogun State coming 1st, Kogi 2nd and Edo 3rd. (NAN)
MIL/VIV/GOK
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Edited by Vivian Ihechu/Olagoke Olatoye