Minister of Youth and Sports Sunday Dare has assured the Handball Federation of Nigeria of full support in assisting the leadership in its efforts to develop a national strategy to benefit Handball.
In remarks during his visit to Rowe Park Sports Centre when the Prudent Energy Handball League match between Kada Queens and Seasider Babes, Dare said he is willing and prepared to support the development of other sports in Nigeria, including Handball.
The nation’s sports ministry boss, who was excited by the quality of competition and huge teams’ participation, hailed the huge sacrifice of HFN president Sam Ocheho in revamping and making the sport attractive to the private sector in the country.
On upcoming international championships, the communication guru turned politician assured the board of the necessary aid to ensure the nation compete favourably in various events.
“I had a private conversation with HFN president [Sam Ocheho] and I must thank him for his resourcefulness, commitment and devotion in terms of commitment and using his resources in preparing teams for competition,” Dare told journalists in Lagos.
“The ministry of youth and sports will not only find some level of support and funding for HFN but also work with the board to get more corporate organisations to sponsor activities of the federation.
“I had a private conversation with HFN president and I must thank him for his resourcefulness, commitment and devotion in terms of commitment and using his resources in preparing teams for competition.
“The ministry will not only find some level of support and funding for HFN but work with the board to get more corporate organisations to sponsor activities of the federation.
“I have told Ocheho that he should prepare the programme of the federation latest by January so we can factor them into our plans.
“We are developing a business model around sports which involves lots of corporate/private companies partnership. When that model is fully developed, we will start implementing it. Sports development, including handball, will get massive support.”
The second phase of the Prudent Energy Handball League in Lagos reaches the climax as Kano Pillars and Safety Babes lead the men’s and women’s standings respectively after matchday nine.
Samuel Ahmadu
