Shittu Agboola, head coach of the U-18 women’s handball team, has urged the sports ministry to provide support as the team prepares for their debut at the Women’s U-18 Handball Championship.
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The tournament, set to take place from August 14 to 25 in Chuzhou, China, presents a significant opportunity for Nigeria to showcase their talent on the global stage.
Nigeria finds themselves in Group B alongside formidable opponents such as Croatia, Montenegro, and Angola. Despite acknowledging the tough challenge ahead, coach Agboola expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to compete at the highest level, citing their impressive performance in previous tournaments.
“Our target is to qualify from the group before other objectives. This is why we are pleading with the Ministry of Sports to assist the HFN so that we can have the best preparation,” Agboola emphasized.
Nigeria’s journey to the World Championship has been marked by notable achievements, including their historic qualification after defeating Morocco in the Africa U-18 Women’s Handball Championship. Despite facing setbacks, such as a loss to Egypt in the semi-finals, Nigeria displayed resilience to secure third place in the Nations Cup.
The team’s success extends beyond the continental stage, with dominant performances in the IHF Women’s Trophy in the Africa Zone 3 and continental phase. However, Agboola stressed the importance of adequate support from the ministry to ensure the team’s readiness for the upcoming challenge.
“This is the world championship, and Nigeria qualified for the first time in history, and a lot of support is needed so we can be in camp for a longer while. We hope the Ministry of Sports will support us,” Agboola stated.
As Nigeria’s U-18 women’s handball team prepares to make history on the global stage, the call for support highlights the significance of collaborative efforts in nurturing and promoting sports talent in the country. With the right backing, Nigeria aims to make a strong impression in their inaugural appearance at the Women’s U-18 Handball Championship.
