Inexperience
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, May 3, 2018 (NAN) Ayo Joshua, Prison Key Boys handball team head coach, on Thursday said the team’s run of seven defeats so far at the ongoing Prudent Energy Handball League was due to inexperience.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team lost 21-31 to Borno Spiders and 30-19 to Kano Pillars on Wednesday in the male competition of the league.
NAN reports that the ongoing competition at the Abuja National Stadium has 12 male teams and 10 female teams taking part.
Joshua told NAN that he presented a young team that was just developing in the league.
He, however, expressed the hope of building a formidable team before the commencement of the second phase of the league in October in Lagos.
“The league has been tough for us because I have very young boys and they just met five days to the competition. So, we are still trying to build a team.
“I believe that our target is not here at the phase one but hopefully at the second phase of the league.
“For now we are just trying to maintain our points. We have played seven matches losing all, but we still have about four matches to go.
“We still have hope of making a difference in the second phase. All we are trying to do now is to gather and maintain our points so that we will not be relegated,’’ the coach said.
Joshua also said the standard of the league was getting better by the day, adding that it has helped to keep the players going.
“It is a good thing that for the first time in 20 years, we are having this kind of tournament. It is good and we pray that it will be sustained,’’ he added.
NAN reports that Prison Key Boys lost 19-37 to Safety Shooters, 20-44 to Niger United, 34-37 to COAS Shooters (Nigerian Army) and 25-43 to Defenders.
They also lost 23-41 to Kada Stars of Kaduna, 21-31 to Borno Spiders and 19-30 to Kano Pillars.
In their remaining games, Prison Key Boys will meet Plateau Vipers and Owena Kings of Ondo on match day seven and eight respectively
They will then take on Rima Strikers of Sokoto and then the Lagos Seasiders on match day nine and 10 respectively.
NAN reports that the league which began on Friday will end this Sunday.(NAN)
DE/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)