Handball
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, April 16, 2018 (NAN) The National U-12 and U-15 handball championships concluded in Lagos on Sunday has restored the hope of young players and coaches across the country after several years of training in isolation without any competition on the horizon.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 15 states of the federation attended the championships held from April 6 to April 15 and organised by the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN).
The competition which featured male and female teams, saw the teams taking their turn on the handball courts of Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos.
The states were Sokoto, Kano, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, Adamawa, Kaduna, Rivers, Abia, Ekiti, Edo, Ogun, Lagos and the FCT.
Sam Ocheho, HFN president told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the championships became necessary due to the persistence of the players and coaches on the near absence of competitions.
Ocheho said that his mandate was to revive handball in its entirety.
“I am passionate about the development of our young handball players. I understand that their training and the efforts of coaches have lacked any form of competition to prove their mettle.
“My joy over this championships is to see the children happy, playing on the same level with their peers, and we have also discovered a large number of potential which is the greatest achievement.
In the same vein, Adeola Opeifa, the immediate past chairman of the dissolved Lagos State Handball Association (LSHA), told NAN that she was happy that the youth championships had been revived by the new Ocheho-led HFN board.
Opeifa said that after the last edition of the national U-12/U-15 championships was held in Isalu, Kogi in 2013, the much needed follow-up did not hold.
“We are now seeing the desired change in the national calendar, especially in the youth activities and it’s a welcome development and prayer answered by our passionate president Ocheho.
“This programme has added value to the skills of participants, as well as reawaken the consciousness of the importance of developing the sport from the grassroots, I am impressed,’’ she said.
Also, Elizabeth Otodo, the U-15 girl’s best goalkeeper from Bayelsa, said it was her first time of participating in such a national championships and that she was happy because she had acquired more techniques.
Otodo added that it was good experience for her to be part of the championships, and a good opportunity to compete at a higher level.
“Our coach used to tell us that one day we will go and compete with other teams in a national championships, and that made me train more because I want do well,’’ she said.
Henry Edebor, coach of Edo U-12 boys’ team, told NAN that the new board had exhibited a high level of seriousness that they had good agenda and meant well for youth development.
Edebor commended the HFN board for the subsidy given to all the visiting teams, the accommodation that was provided and the standard facility for the matches.
He, however, noted that there was need to improve on the transportation of visiting teams from hostel to competition venues, while the banners should be made bigger in subsequent editions.
“I am happy with this board, they have encouraged players and given them hope that they will provide them with necessary support to encourage in their career,’’ he said.
NAN reports that in the round robbing matches for U-15 girls, Lagos came 1st, Bayelsa 2nd, Niger 3rd, Ogun 4th and Abia in the 5th position.
The U-12 girls had Ogun as 1st, Kogi 2nd, Edo 3rd and Ekiti 4th.
The U-12 boys had Sokoto 1st, Lagos 2nd, Kebbi 3rd, Ogun 4th and Ekiti 5th.
The U-15 boy’s ended in a penalty shootout after Niger and Lagos ended 21-21, and it ended in favour of team Lagos 5-2.
No fewer than 80 budding talents were discovered in the male and female categories of the championships.
The event had in attendance dignitaries, including Kayode Opeifa, a former Commissioner for Transportation in Lagos State, Babatunde Fatai-Williams, President of Swimming and Aquatic Federation, and Toyin Akuko Director, Ministry of Youth and Sports. (NAN)
MIL/ERO/PDE
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(Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Peter Ejiofor)