Assistant Coach, Oyo State Handball Association, Tunde Cole, has Thursday urged the sport’s officials to ensure fairness in officiating and merit in players’ selection for the game’s growth.

Cole spoke with newsmen in Lagos, against the backdrop of the alleged use of ineligible players and poor officiating at the just-concluded 18th National Sports Festival.

He said that the development would not position the sport on the pathway of transformation if the factors that could negate progress were continued.

“What I consider the foundation of all the calamities which have befallen Nigeria’s sports was insincerity in players’ selection and bad officiating in most competitions.

“Our major concern in any competition in this part of the world is to win all tournaments at all costs. This makes us to field ineligible players who cannot last.

“I think we need to change our attitude of insincerity in the age, status and legitimacy of officials whenever there is a tournament,’’ he said.

Cole said that some states at the festival fielded players who were professionals and over-aged, which, according to him, was detrimental to the development of sports at the grassroots.

“In the guise of winning at all costs, many coaches lie over the eligibility of athletes at Games and we are killing ourselves by so doing,’’ he said.

The coach urged state governments to promote handball by providing facilities for the game in schools.