bY Justina Akanbi
The President of Handball Federation of Nigeria, Sam Ocheho has assured Nigerians to be expecting more fireworks at the second phase of the Prudent Energy Handball League slated for Lagos in October.
The championship was revived in 2018 with the first edition, which had first and second phases in Abuja and Lagos, respectively.
Also, the second phase of the Prudent Energy Handball League is scheduled for 4th to 17th October 2019 at Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos.
Speaking on the Federation preparedness, he revealed that every logistics is in place to make 2019 league a memorable event adding that there is massive support of the sponsor, Prudent Energy.
According to him, I expect fireworks, upsets and a new champion to be crowned. I am also expecting people to fight to the finish.
“I think I have seen a lot of young players at the just concluded National Youth Games that I believe they can make it in handball and also located another replica of Farouk Yusuf known as Tobi and I am impressed with what I saw.
“I think some of them are already under 18 national team materials; they just need to build on what they are doing right now. So we will see a lot of the young boys in the next two or three years at the premier league level.
“Every logistics is in place to make 2019 league a memorable event; to crown it all, we have massive support of the sponsor, Prudent Energy.”
Giving hint on the just concluded National Youth Games, Ocheho said, “What I saw gives me joy; I see that we have talent in excess at the grassroots level. The young players displayed so much maturity in the level of handball they are playing and it makes me glad”.
He, however, revealed that some youngsters discovered are under 18 national team materials and has the potential of featuring at the national league in the next two to three years.
Also, twelve teams for the men and eleven teams for the women will be slugging it out when the competition eventually kick-off.