Secretary General of the Commonwealth Handball Association, Saidu Jibril has commended the quality of organization and competition witnessed at the National Sports Festival in Asaba, Delta State where the host emerged overall winners with 320 gold, 200 silver and 128 bronze medals.
The former handball international player hailed both the men’s and women’s teams of Kano and Oyo for their doggedness to win gold medals in handball event at the expense of team Delta.
Jibril who emerged as the Secretary General of Commonwealth Handball Association on December 5, 2021 after a meeting of member countries, said his plans for handball is to make the Sport accessible to grassroots dwellers.
He further explained that there is the need for handball Coaches and umpires in the country to brace up for the development of the sport in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“Our plan is to ensure the successful introduction of beach handball to Nigeria. It is the global trend and Commonwealth Nations cannot be left behind. We cannot rush into this without carefully studying the financial, technical and official requirements for its success”,
“For sure I can tell you that once funds are approved by the CHA for this specific project, we shall hit the ground running. I have consistently reminded handball stakeholders in the country that we have to take the lead in the Commonwealth and seize the opportunity to develop Handball in African countries”
The CHA Scribe also urged the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to faithfully follow the National Sports Industry Policy that mandates the various Sports Federations to be financially independent rather than relying on full sponsorship by the Ministry.
Mr Jibril said the Federations must be transparent in their dealings, especially in his constituency, the Handball Federation of Nigeria.
“Handball will reach its peak when we as stakeholders all come together. We have to abandon our selfish interests and put the sport first because of our youth. The President of Handball Federation must carry all board members along and be open with all financial dealings on behalf of the board”,
“We are all up there in our respective careers mainly because of the platform handball gave us when we were teenagers; what platform are we creating for the next generation“ Saidu Jibril disclosed.
He congratulated the country’s sports men and women for their exploits under the year 2022 and called for more support for constituted authorities as journey to 2023 continues.
