A patron of the Lagos
State Handball Association (LSHA), Kayode Opeifa, yesterday urged the media to give adequate coverage to the sport to promote it even at the grassroots.
Opeifa told newsmen in Lagos that if the sport was well promoted it would also contribute to the nation’s medals table at international tournaments.
He expressed displeasure at the poor publicity some sports were given at tournaments, stressing that the concentration of the media on football was a disservice to other sports.
“I must be honest; the media are not being fair to all sports in coverage which boils down to the fact that they are not balancing their job.
“They single out football and the hype they give it during continental and intercontinental games is affecting the promotion of some sports categorised as ‘lesser sports’.
“Other sports have opportunities of winning laurels at competitions unlike football which has one medal, yet they are not adequately recognised by the media saddled with the responsibility of sports promotion,’’ he said.
He added that with adequate publicity given to other sports by the media, athletes participating in them at competitions would be enthusiastic to perform credibly to make the nation proud.
Opeifa, who also sponsors the Lagos State Secondary Schools Handball Championships, tagged “Opeifa Cup’’, implored the media to extend maximum coverage to the forthcoming competition holding in Lagos.
Tidesports reports that Opeifa Cup, being organised by the Lagos State Handball Association, will hold from May 16 to May 21 at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park, Yaba, Lagos.