Abia State Government in collaboration with the Handball Federation of Nigeria is organizing a National Under 12 &15 Handball Championship.
The championship which kicked off on the 18th of March, will run through to 29th of March, 2025 at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
The tournament has 16 states that will participate.
Addressing the press, the State Director of Sports , Comrade Obioma George said that the championship is meant to harness young talents that will take the handball game to a higher level.
“What you have seen here today is the first time Abia State is hosting the National Under 12 and 15 championship being sponsored by the sports loving Governor, Dr. Alex Otti,
“Before now , Abia had a good page in handball in Nigeria ,the Valiants that ruled hand ball in Nigeria and Africa was Abia State team.
“You know in sports, no champion reigns for ever, so they have done their work, they ruled but unfortunately they have fizzled out of the scene because in of so many challenges,
“But I thank God for the Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, we call him in sports “Chioma Ndi Sports”, his coming has sincerely developed sports in the State, so many things in sports has been brought back to life things that were before now have almost gone moribond “, Comrade Obioma stated.
He further informed that Abia State Sports Council which is the custodian of Sports the state has been revived by the present administration of Dr. Alex Otti through the Hon. Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwadinma Nwabilor Ananaba, whom he said is doing a great work and described him as a round peg in a round hole.
Comrade Obioma George informed that organizing this tournament was step in the right direction as it will help to bring back the foundation of hand ball in the State.
” From his to youth championship now, we are going to get it right as the championship is over, we are going to keep them and intensive training will commence, give us few years, we will sincerely bounce back,
“We are going to set the record in hand ball, we also have things to give them at the end of the tournament to encourage them in their academic,
“His Excellency and the commissioner are interested in the development of sports in Abia and through this hosting, we are going to trace our foundation and we will develop it”, Comrade George stated.
The South East Representative of the Nigerian Handball Federation, Sir Onyii Wamah said that they were in the state to groom the younger ones to take over from the older ones.
He commended Governor Alex Otti for sponsoring the tournament adding that it is only a man of vision like Governor Otti that can accomplish what he has accomplished so far.
“We are getting it down to the grass root, that is why we are here, we are here to put Abia State and Nigeria back into the map of handball in the world”, he said.
