Bayelsa State Handball Team has appealed to the State Government to help them with funds to participate in the forth-coming Handball Division One Championship coming up in Benin City, Edo State on the 9th of July, 2021
Speaking to our correspondent, One of the Male handballs who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that lack of funds, motivation, and poor nutrition before a major competition has been a huge challenge for them.
He said, “Gathering and camping of 50 or more players is not an easy thing to do because you need money for feeding”.
When asked about how they finance their feeding he noted that they’re the ones feeding themselves.
“As things stand now we are eating from our pockets and most times we ration our food because we are a team and as a team, we share the little we have together.
When asked further on how he thinks this problem can be solved, he said that he expects the State Government to come to their rescue because they are in danger of missing out on the competition despite all the training.
“We are calling on the State Government and especially the Miracle Governor himself to come to our rescue because as things stand now we are in danger of missing out from the competition completely despite all the training and efforts we have put in to make sure we progress to the elite division of the Handball League.
Speaking to a female player who also spoke on the condition of anonymity appealed to the government to help them out financially because most of them are students that are currently not working.
“We’re appealing to the government to help us with funds because most of us are students and as such we have limited income and are currently not employed so we depend wholely on our parents and guardians for money”.
When quizzed further on the condition of the accommodation provided to them, she said that they’re actually managing it because of how determined they’re are to succeed.
“The accommodation provided for us is not conducive enough but as people that are determined to do well in the upcoming competition, we are managing it because we know that we are here for camping and not for pleasure.
The Bayelsa State Handball Male and Female teams are due to play in the National Division One Handball Tournament coming up on the 9th of July, with an opportunity to qualify for the Prudent Energy Handball League which is the Elite Division of Handball in the country.