HFN Solicits Corporate Sponsorship Of Tournaments

The President, Handball Federation of Nigeria  (HFN), Dauda Yusuf, has called for more corporate sponsorship of competitions, saying such sponsorship is the hallmark of development of sports federations.

Yusuf made the call recently in Ilorin at the final of U-12 and U-15 Handball Championship for clubs and secondary schools sponsored by a foreign-based organisation, Pishon Sports Club.

The club is an association of foreign-based veteran handball players who were groomed in Kwara.

The president noted that most sports federations had been in comatose due to lack of support from corporate bodies and public-spirited individuals.

“The federation will continue to welcome intending sponsors of handball championships in Nigeria.

“I hereby laud the club for giving back to the society what they had achieved from it.

“A move like this from clubs and corporate bodies will always provide an enabling environment to make sure these young people reach their peak in handball.

“It is good to catch them young like this. I urge the state handball association to partner organisations like Pishon, they mean well,’’ he said.

Yusuf urged the players to be focused and committed, noting that the game could take them to a higher level.

Speaking on behalf of the club, Emmanuel Olubiyo, said the championship was a way of appreciating what handball had made them to be.

Olubiyo commended the participated clubs and schools for honouring their invitation in spite of the short notice, and pledged the club’s continuous sponsorship of the tournament.

The Tidesports source reports that Superstars defeated United Club to lift the U-15 trophy for the male category while Arise and Shine Club won the female trophy.

Smart Club lifted the U-12 male trophy after triumphing over Kings Warriors, while Rising Stars Club beat Leading Success Club to win the female category.