Handball Players Seek Friendly Games

Players of the National
Handball Junior team have urged the authorities to organise friendly matches to enable the team prepare adequately for the forthcoming Intercontinental IHF Trophy in Mexico.
The players told newsmen during their training session at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park, Yaba, Lagos.
The National team, presently in camp, would be representing the country at the intercontinental handball tournament from November 25 to 29.
Mojeed Mudashiru, the team captain, said that the team, which is camped at the Nigeria Army Sports Centre, Yaba, was being trained by seasoned coaches, ahead of the competition.
Mudashiru, while applauding the coaches for their commitment to training, said that there was need to engage the team in friendly matches within the continent, as part of its buildup.
“Our coaches are really doing a good job in the training programme, however, it will be good for us to evaluate our level of preparation by playing with some neighbouring countries,” he said.
Emeka Emmanuel, a player, said that such friendly matches would give the coaches opportunities to identify player’s areas of deficiencies.
“It will be easier for our coaches to monitor each player critically during friendly matches because we will want to apply our technical knowledge and play to impress our coaches.
“The IHF trophy is a big competition and we must prepare likewise so that we will be able to bring glory to the nation. Friendly matches are very necessary,” he said.
Jemilu Adamu, the team’s assistant captain, said that the team should be outfitted with complete and standard kits, to portray the national colours at the global handball competition.
Adamu said: “We need complete modified green-white-green kits to fly the country’s flag in Mexico and it will also boost our confidence that we must lift the trophy for the nation.”
He also suggested a training tour for the team.
Atabo Abubakar, a player, said that friendly matches would fortify the team’s readiness, give players the opportunity of getting accustomed to their individual wings and also play like a team during the competition.

Super Eagles player (right), outsmarting an opponent, during one of the FIFA 2014 World Cup qualifiers in Calabar, Cross River State