Sports
HFN To Build On 2012 Successes
The Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) is this year hopeful of building on the foundation it laid in 2012, its president, Yusuf Dauda, has said in Abuja.
Dauda told newsmen that the federation had used 2012 to lay a foundation and was now ready to build on it to get the desired results. “What we want to do this year (2013) is to build on what we have done in 2012 because what we did earlier was foundation-laying. We must now begin to build. “We did not just build any foundation but a solid one, because the right calibre of players have been discovered and they are within the necessary age-range,’’ he said.
The federation president said he made sure he told the coaches to ensure the players with the right ages were used for the age-grade competitions. “I tried all I could to use the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test and ensured we got things right. “I don’t believe in age cheating because if you bring a 25-year-old player to play in the under-20 category, you are cutting yourself short by five years. “This is because there is a level the player will reach in development where he can no longer perform as expected.
“ It is better to get the right age for the right age-grade competition. No matter how long it takes, it is still the best to be done in order to get things right. “This is just like when you are cooking yam and nobody knows. But it is when the mortar starts sounding that everyone will know something is happening,’’ he said.
Dauda noted that it was always going to be difficult starting from the grass roots. “It may be difficult, but it is still the way out for the country. Laying the foundation is always very rough but every federation must be ready to do it. “What should be done now is to pick them at the various levels and divide them into the age categories and begin to train them, for them to be exposed to international championships,’’ he said.
The handball federation president said Nigeria would be needing about 10 or 12 more years before it can go to the Olympics and make any meaningful impact in the sport. “We need between now and 10 or 12 years. Although I said this before, but people reported that I said handball is dead and can only be revived after 10 years. “But, irrespective of political affiliation, we must be ready to face the truth. It is what we don’t want to hear and we love telling ourselves lies. “However, we cannot run away from this truth,’’ he said.
Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State will be at the centre stage in Nigeria as Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will hold her maiden edition of Football Fans Fiesta (FFF).
The Fiesta scheduled to hold on the 13th December, 2025, at Eddiz wine bar GRA, promises to be all football fans carnival in the State , as there will be a lot of fanfares.
The Coordinator of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community (PHAC), Ugochukwu Oputa has said that the forthcoming Football Fans Fiesta was basically to promote peace, unity and love among football fans in irrespective of the cub.
He stated that sports is a catalyst to bring peace, love and Unity in any given society, hence the occasion was initiated.
Oputa said this in an interview with sports journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, saying that arrangements are on top gear for a successful programme.
” This event is for all football fans irrespective of your club. It is basically to promote peace, love and Unity among fans.
“It is like stating the obvious that football is the catalyst of peace and unity in the world. So the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community want to use this avenue to bring people together and foster friendship.
“There is no gate fee, but it is expected to put on jersey of your club as to make the event look unique” Oputa said.
The Coordinator used the forum to advice football fans in the world to love one another, and equally urged fans that will attend the occasion to be of good conduct and behaviour.
Tonye Orabere
Consistent with its project execution routine, Dunamis-Icon Limited, Project Consultants of the Niger Delta Games, has concluded the first phase of physical inspection and evaluation of facilities for the event, 24 hours after the presentation of the hosting right to Edo State was performed.
The project management team was guided round select facilty locations in Benin City by Desmond Amadin Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, and the team leader, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo expressed satisfaction with the sports infrastructure assets of the host.
“Edo is a ready-made choice based on all the factors that are necessary to host this kind of big event. We are expecting over 3000 athletes coaches, alongside journalists and technical officials, with an approximate number of people outside spectators in the range of 5000. So, we need facilities that work for the games itself”, Ikpokpo explained.
He commended the Edo State Government for the good state of facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and promised that the state will be assisted with the renovation of some of the facilities as may be necessary to ensure good competition experience for the athletes.
“I have been to the iconic Ogbe Stadium and must commend the Edo State Government for maintaining the facilities there. We are also considering taking some events to the University of Benin, so that people in that part of the city can also feel and enjoy the fun. Where need be, we will also see how to assist the state and the University of Benin to add value to some of the sporting facilities”.
Dunamis Icon Limited is the franchise rights owner to the games conceived and designed to provide a platform for unity and integration, and identifying and grooming talented youths from the region into national and international stars.
The NDDC as the flagship interventionist agency for the nine states that make up the region, is the prime sponsor of the games as part of their strategic focus on youth engagement and human capital development.
The inspection tour began at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, after a brief meeting with Enabulele and the Sports Commission team at his office.
Areas inspected include the stadium’s main bowl, the tartan track, the state box, the VIP lounges and other key areas like the ceremonial room, the media studio and other indoor facilities.
Other facility locations assessed are the Wire Road Sports Centre being listed to host basketball and volleyball games, the University of Benin Sports Complex, and the Etete Sports Centre.
In the entourage of Dunamis-Icon were the Project Director, Mr Fred Edoreh; Director of Facilities and Equipment, Dr Emmanuel Ochuko Igbigbisie; the head of Communications, Harry Iwuala; Head of Transport and Logistics, Israel Umueri Afoke. Others are Theresa Ineke, Head of Secretariat, Godwin Enakhena, the Head of Scouting, Mr. Edi Lawani, the Head of Culture Affairs and Entertainment and Elder Siegha Porbeni of the Technical Department.
The Edo Sports Commission Chairman was also supported by Hon. Frank Ilaboya and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Executive Directors, with Mr Baldwin Bazuaye (MON) also in the company.
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