NAN-S-5
Handball
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, Feb. 8, 2017 (NAN) Attahiru Garba, a former Technical Committee member of the Confederation of African Handball (CAHB), on Wednesday canvassed strict separate stage in the primary and secondary schools grassroots championships.
Garba told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that with such competitions in place, the issue of age cheats would be controlled in state associations and among the organisers of championships.
“We must adopt a practicable system, to promote age grade championships in our society and most importantly, to reduce the issue of intimidation among players and teams.
“The foundation of the game is at the grassroots; therefore, we must do away with anything that will jeopardise the objective or target of catch-them-young programmes.
“The competition for the primary category should be restricted and with proof of players’ data, likewise in the secondary session rather than join them under one umbrella.
“Sometimes, a player, who was in the primary school team and has graduated to secondary can be invited to be part of a team, that must stop,’’ Garba said.
He urged the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) to collaborate with its affiliate associations and clubs to restore the integrity of the game and identify raw talents.
The handball veteran said the separation would set a fair competition environment for players in same category to exhibit their skills without intimidation.
“It is fundamental to protect the interest of these young players from their prime, giving them the opportunity to show their talent and be discovered.
“The stage will further help them to be familiar with the techniques and game rules, as well as build self-confidence because they are playing with their peers,’’ he said.
Garba, also a former vice-president of HFN, appealed to the schools’ authorities to also make the idea a reality and bring sanity to grassroots handball.
NAN reports that Garba served as the chairman of Niger State Handball Association from 1980 to 1990; and was a member of Committee, Commonwealth Handball Association, from 2005 to 2010. (NAN)
MIL/FLP/PDE
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(Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Peter Ejiofor)