U-18 Tourney: HFN Blames Insecurity For Low Turnout

The Handball Federation Nigeria (HFN) has blamed the low turnout of states at the just concluded U-18 National Championships in Sokoto on the terrorists attacks in the north.

The HFN President, Yusuf Dauda,  told newsmen in Lagos that most states stayed away from the event because of the fear of being attacked by the terrorists.

Dauda said only eight states, consisting of seven male and three female teams, took part in the 10-day championships held in Gingiya Stadium.

The HFN official named the states as Oyo, Niger, Yobe, Sokoto, Kaduna, Benue, Kano, and Plateau, adding that only Kaduna and Benue presented teams in the male and female categories.

“Although we anticipated a large turn-out of participants, being a developmental programme and first youth championships in the year, the Boko-Haram issue really affected the programme.

“This is because some states who indicated interest could not risk the lives of their players due to the constant bombing recorded in some northern parts of the country,” he said.

Dauda commended the Sokoto State Government for its support and adequate security provided during the championships, which he described as remarkable.

The HFN chief expressed satisfaction with the performance of the young players who exhibited outstanding skills, adding, “the young players are talented and the skills are exceptional,”.

Olusola Luke, the HFN secretary, said 25 males and 18 females were discovered at the championships, saying they were good enough for immediate absorption into the junior national team.

Luke said, “they are upcoming players but have proved a remarkable performance and the technical team have recommended that they should be included into the junior national teams,”.

According to the HFN scribe, a training programme would be put together by the technical officials, which would serve as a follow-up, to ensure that their skills are developed in the right direction.

Luke said the programme would be organised as part of their schools’ activities so that it would not affect their academic pursuits.