Handball: Nigeria hosts African championships in Kaduna

Yusuf Suleiman, Sports Minister

As pressures mount on the current headship of the Handball Federation of Nigeria, (HFN) to resign following a woeful outing at the 10th All Africa Games in Maputo, the federation said it was hosting the 33rd African Handball Championships to engender grassroots interest in the game.
President of Handball Federation of Nigeria, Yusuf Dauda, said that the championships will hold from October 20^th to 30^th in Kaduna with 26 clubs from Africa countries and four from Nigeria participating in the championship.

Dauda said that the HFN intends to use the championships to entice corporate sponsors. Apart from renewing interest in the game at the grassroots, we also intend to use the championship to entice corporate bodies on the need for them to partner with us. Through regular sponsorship of the game at the grassroots, we intend to discover and nurture new talents to eventually replace the ageing ones in the game.’’

Dauda said the game of handball has suffered a slump in the country and the Federation intends to use the African Championships and subsequent locally-organised competitions to sustain interest in the game.
HFN President said that the country would be represented in the competition by Niger United of Minna, Safety Shooters of Abuja, Owena Queens of Akure and Grasshoppers of Owerri.

“The country’s representatives in the competition are currently putting finishing touches to their preparations and we bank on them to put up good performances during the competition. The last time the country hosted a competition of this magnitude was over 15 years ago and we don’t want the game to go into extinction. That is why we are doing the best we can to take the game to the grassroots where the future of the game lies’’.

…Suffers two deaths in one week

The game of handball last week suffered two key losses of its personnel with the death of a player and that of the wife of a former national team star. These losses which were broadcast on the facebook forum of the game were of Nkemjika Uzendu, the Abia Matadors handball player.  His death was confirmed by Isaac Ogbonna, the Public Relations Officer of the Abia State Sports Council where he was a staff.

A former national team player who also coached the national team after his playing days, Charley (Big C) lost his wife too. The service of songs has been held while a hale of tributes were sent in to the families of the deceased.

In a tribute, John Akobundu Iroanya, a player of the game wrote: “I don't know what to say, Nkemjika handball in Aba will never be the same without you, we will miss u so much! We love you more than you will ever think of but we know that God loves you more.  That's why He ask you to come and be with him. Rest in Peace, my NKEM. We will always miss you.”

Michael Ayeni, a former national team pivot player who is based in Italy also wrote about Nkem, “this is a great loss. I am short of words. One will only pray that God will give the family the fortitude to bear the loss. What a loss?” Asiegbu Chimezie, a staff of the National Sports Commission(NSC) who also played the game at the national team level wrote in his tribute, “What a sad news! May you rest in the bosom of the Lord. Amen.”

…Calls intensify on Dauda to resign as HFN President

Members of the playing fraternity of handball in Nigeria and diaspora have demanded for  unreserved apology while some are asking for the resignation letters from those people who contributed in the humiliation and disgrace of Nigeria Handball in faraway Maputo during the just concluded 10^th All African games.

One of the former national team players on the Nigerian Handball forum in facebook had asked, “How can a Nigeria national team be beaten by 49 goals to 16 by Angola? 33 goals to nothing in terms of difference. No! No!! he screamed. He added, “no reason is acceptable.”

A member of the various national teams and Ondo State, Mrs. Ifejola Ayeni (nee Olorunfemi) who is resident in the United States of America  asked rhetorically, “how Nigeria could have descended so low to say they were going on a playing tour of Ghana and Guinea as part of preparations for the game. This is sheer crap. It is simply annoying.”

Shittu Adewunmi, a more recent member of the national team could not hide his anger when he squealed, “HFN. Who is going to tame this monster and those directing its course? Nigerian league was organised some two years ago, what are they expecting to win? Gold medal? Truth, we got what we sowed. Period. Handball need total overhaul of its modus operandi, its leadership, developmental programmes etc. God save Nigeria handball.”

Responding to the long tirade of opinions, comments and angry vituperations, Ogujiuba Nwagbara, who was in the national team for about a decade wrote: “Well... reading all these wonderful thoughts and suggestions is really a good thing. I believe we are generally a blessed nation when it comes to rhetorics. My question is not who will bell the cat? But who is willing to be the cat. If any of the so called young coaches are truthful to their aims and objectives to work hard and produce better Handball players, I will not relent in sending them equipment and reading materials which will help them understand the standard of handball today. Those are the reasons why trainers are sent to conferences or world championships. We have to start from the grassroots and forget the national assignments. I need someone who resides in Nigeria and is willing to work with me. We will start from the grassroots. For instance the primary schools. Looking for a scapegoat will not help no one.”

A cursory summary of the opinions expressed on the forum is that the current board of the game in the country should tender apologies to the nation, as well as, resign their appointments while efforts must be made to cause a more proactive board that will help plan for the development of the game from the grassroots.