NAN-S-2
Handball
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, Jan. 14, 2017 (NAN) The Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) will bar clubs which fail to pay annual affiliation fees from the upcoming Samuel Ortom National Handball Male and Female Championships, an official says.
Yusuf Dauda, the HFN President who gave the warning on Saturday in Lagos, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that each club would pay N20,000 to participate in the championships.
“The fee must reach the federation on or before Jan. 25,’’ he said.
NAN reports that the championships, which will be the first edition, will hold at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi from Jan. 20 to Jan. 30.
Dauda said payment of the affiliation fee was an annual requirement of the federation from state associations, teams and clubs registered with HFN.
“We are starting the year on a very good note by virtue of the forthcoming championships. The preparations have started, and we urge our affiliated members to pay up.
“All state teams and clubs registered under the federation are qualified members.
“In the first month of the year, they are required to renew their affiliation fee.
“Registration is in progress, and the competition’s fixtures will be strictly based on teams and clubs which fulfilled the federation’s requirements,’’ he said.
Dauda said the tournament being organised by the Benue State Handball Association would be sponsored by the state Governor, Samuel Ortom.
Elijah Ameh, HFN Secretary, told NAN that state teams and clubs would be responsible for their teams’ transportation, feeding and accommodation for the 10-day competition.
Ameh however disclosed that teams and clubs which are interested in the competition but which failed to pay the fees before Jan. 25 may have to pay extra charges.
NAN reports that the tournament is the first programme of the HFN in 2017.(NAN)
MIL/JI/IGO
(Edited by Joseph Idika/Ijeoma Popoola/Olawale Alabi)