The Vice President of the Ogun State Handball Association, Adeyemi George, popularly known as Osawe, has described the handball seminar he sponsored as a vital initiative to educate coaches and referees on modern developments in the sport.
Speaking at the event, George emphasized that handball, being a structured game, has the potential to surpass football if properly managed.
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Adeyemi George stated that the seminar was necessary to introduce the latest innovations in the sport, particularly the new 4×4 handball format developed by General Williams.
He stressed that coaches and referees must stay updated with these changes to meet international standards.
“I decided to sponsor the 4×4 handball seminar to educate stakeholders on this newly introduced version of handball by General Williams and his technical team. If we aim to compete at the Commonwealth level,
we must embrace these trends. When the opportunity arose, I accepted the responsibility of bringing awareness about 4×4 handball to the South West,” he explained.
George highlighted that 4×4 handball has the potential to gain widespread popularity in Nigeria, as it does not require a full seven-player lineup to play.
“This version allows for a half-court game, making it more exciting and enjoyable,” he added.
The seminar, held from February 18 to 20, 2025, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, gathered coaches and referees from all six states in the South West region.
Reaffirming his commitment to supporting the 4×4 handball initiative, George noted that it would help promote the sport at the grassroots level.
“There are many ways we can collaborate to further expose handball to Nigerians. During General Williams’ era, handball nearly rivaled football in popularity due to the strong structure that was established.
However, after his departure to develop other sports, the momentum declined. That is why I am committed to rebuilding a solid structure in the South West. Handball is not a seasonal sport; it thrives on proper planning and development,” he concluded.
