Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) president, Sam Ochebo is picking several positives from the just concluded National Handball League in Lagos, as he says many innovations were enacted during the event.
While exuding delight that the competition had a willing sponsor that took the financial burden off the federation, Ochebo told sports247.ng that many new discoveries were spotted during the competition.
Ochebo disclosed that the new players have been penciled down for consideration and possible invitation to the junior national team, to ensure that the squad gets better and stronger.
He further disclosed that the coaches are already rearing to go with their plans and expects a higher level of competition for spots in the team for next year’s World Junior Handball Championship.
Ocheho further said the federation’s partnership with Prudent Energy Drink has revived the nation’s handball structure.
He added: “Before now, handball was in a state of coma, sleeping but we needed a sponsor that will partner with us to raise handball and prudent energy took the challenge.
“Today, we can say that we are on the road to full recovery. We are not yet there but we are alive and breathing again.
“This may take us few years to fully recover but we are well ahead of the call and I believe with this partnership, the sky will be the beginning of handball in Nigeria.
“The league as you all know is a flagship tournament in the country and the largest platform for handball in Nigeria.
“I remember anytime I talk about the league, the years Nigeria succeeded in handball were the years we had title sponsors.
“We thank God for Prudent Energy who decided to come in 2018 to lift the game of handball.
“In one year that the partnership started with Prudent Energy, handball has begun to record tremendous successes in Nigeria.
“The first phase was held in Abuja and was attended by all the 22 teams that constitute the Premier League; the journey has been exciting and great for handball in Nigeria.”
