NAN-S-17
Handball
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, Jan. 6, 2016 (NAN) Some handball fans have applauded the Solomon Dalung-led Ministry of Youths and Sports for restoring the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) membership of the Confederation of Africa Handball (CAHB).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that HFN, an affiliated of CAHB, was banned in 2016 for failing to pay appearance and participation fee in Africa Men’s Championship held in Angola.
The HFN President, Yusuf Dauda, told NAN that the body received the money from the ministry in December and that preparation was on top gear to offset the debt.
“I really appreciate the ministry for responding to this very need, which is a big issue for us all through 2016 but they have finally approved and released money.
“And we have communicated the body and presently on the process to clear the debts which will reconcile us with CAHB from now onwards,’’ he said.
Dauda assured handball fans that after offsetting the debt, Nigeria would be free and have opportunity to participate in the various championships organised by CAHB.
Sikiru Ahmed, a certified handball referee, said it was rather unfortunate that the country was banned by CAHB for inability to fulfill a major obligation, describing it as an “unpleasant development’’.
Ahmed, however, advised the HFN board to ensure prompt payment of the outstanding fee so that CAHB could reabsorb Nigeria and include them in its 2017 activities.
“Henceforth, adequate arrangement must be made to avoid this unpleasant situation because it has taken us back.
“It is a good development that the debt will be cleared, but anybody who claims to be a fan of handball must shun sentiment and politics and support HFN’s to progress,’’ he added.
Sam Samora, a national player, applauded the authorities for restoring the hopes of players and opening opportunity for them to represent the country at international championships.
Samora urged the federation to organise more competitions for athletes and refresher course for its technical officials to make-up for losses recorded in 2016 due to the ban.
“The ban by the African body really affected handball activities, I can count the number of privately-organised competitions we had last year.
“We expect the national body to organise championships across the country because they are the parent body and must set the pace for state associations and individuals,’’ he said.
Patrick Atuse, a handball coach, told NAN that the country had been vibrant in its performances at international championships and committed players and coaches were still dedicated to training in spite of the ban.
Atuse assured fans that the future was bright for the sport and that with adequate competitions in place, players would improve their standard even beyond the continent.
“Our absence in CAHB events in 2016 was obvious but our contemporaries took the advantage but thank God, we didn’t go to sleep, we are training with high hopes.
“Because we know that we have an able government that is taking cognisance of our performances, so, we have also used the period of the ban to fortify ourselves,’’ he said. (NAN)
MIL/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)