Sports
NHCA President Urges Revamping Of Handball
President, Nigeria Handball Coaches Association (NHCA), Coach John Jatau, has said that coaches should go back to the grassroots to get new players to revamp the sport in Nigeria.
He said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja after a training match between the coaches and the veteran handball team.
According to him, coaches should go to the primary and secondary schools to get new players that would do the nation proud.
Jatau stated that handball could not make it to the Olympics because the federation rushed to pick the wrong players.
“We have rushed and not allowed ourselves to choose the right calibre of players because we were still believing in our past glory which we got it wrong; that is why we coaches are on ground now to get it right”
He urged coaches to imbibe the right attitude and bring in the right players and not over-aged players for the U-12 and U-18 handball team.
“We have to change our attitude to bring the real age players so that players start from U-12, U-18 which will produce the right players for us.
“The coaches will have to go to the grassroots and do the right thing in bringing the right calibre of players to move the federation forward,” he said.
Chief Coach of Sokoto State Sports Council, Patrick Atusu, said the coaches must be role models and demonstrate a healthy lifestyle for the players to emulate and encourage the players all the time.
He said building a new handball team required a lot of skills which a coach must impart to his players.
Atusu further stated that for the handball federation to move forward, all hands must be on deck and called on coaches and the ex-handball players to look for sponsorship for competitions.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
-
News1 day agoPolice Arrest Nigerian, Two Others For Kidnapping In Edo
-
Business23 hours agoNERC Amends Order on Meter Tampering, Power Bypass For Discos
-
Business23 hours agoNigeria, AFC sign $1.3 billion deal to build alumina refinery
-
Rivers23 hours agoKENPOLY Rector Promises To Prioritise Students’ Welfare
-
Nation1 day agoPerm Sec Explains Success Of FGM Elimination Programme In Rivers
-
News1 day agoNDLEA Arrests Ex-Councillor With 40kg Skunk, Recovers Drugs In Diapers
-
Rivers23 hours agoDon, Stakeholders Urge Environmental Laws In N’Delta
-
Rivers23 hours agoADIAFRICA Flags-off Free Eye Screening Outreach In PH