Sports Minister inaugurates federation presidents, boards

... Business and Technical Workshop Session Underway

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare Friday inaugurated the Presidents and boards of Sports Federations charging them to roll up their sleeves for the task of deepening development of Sports in Nigeria. 

The Minister while congratulating the new board executives emphasized the need for them to work as a team while restating the need to be guided by established processes, procedures and Code of Governance of National Sports Federations in the discharge of their responsibilities. “As you are aware, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development’s core responsibilities are focused at facilitating youth and sport development through the establishment of a conducive policy environment that provides strategic support systems and sport policy implementation, amongst other functions. The Ministry coordinates the formulation and review of policies and legislation in order to provide a framework for effective implementation of youth and sports programs”, Dare reaffirmed. 

“Let me also stress that the future of the various sports is now in your hands, the career of our young athletes under your Federations is now in your hands and history will judge you how you have positively or otherwise impacted Sports in your respective governing bodies”, the Minister added. 

In line with the reclassification of sports from recreation to business as approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister revealed that a new business orientation will be pursued, tasking the board of each Federation to adopt and bring about a business approach to its operations. Dare further gave a marching order to the newly inaugurated 28 Sports Federations to within six months begin the process of formulating the Federations’ constitution in line with the dictates of various international Federations with the inputs and guidance of the Ministry to ensure domestication and operation in tandem with Nigerian laws and Sports Industry policy.

The Minister charged the board of Federations to settle down to business and avoid the acrimonious relationships that beset some associations in the past. He intimated the new Executives that a 2-day technical and business workshop for capacity building will be organized in collaboration with the Edo State Government, and held in Edo State in the coming weeks.

Handball: We’ll return to grassroots for proper players’ development says Sam Ocheho

The reelected President of Handball Federation of Nigeria, San Ocheho said the new board would return to the grassroots to ensure a good development of players since it is the only factor needed to produce players.

Ocheho said, “I thank the handball family for entrusting me with this responsibility for another four years.

“I believe now that we have won, we need to sit down and think for the future. We have good four years to raise the game of handball.

“I believe our concentration will be on developing the sport of handball. In the last four years, we did our best to ensure that the game at the grassroots was featuring,” he said.

Ocheho said in his last administration they were able to get sponsors to support the federation’s activities.

“We were able to introduce some sponsorship in our premier league, and we have the Sokoto state government who has also sponsored the under-12 and under-15.

“Also, Edo has committed itself into sponsoring the national division one league.

“From the sponsorship perspective we have been able to do lot and we intend to bring more sponsors on board,” he said.

The HFN President added that the federation would also aim at developing the standard of the technical crew of the national teams.

Handball Federation approves dates for championships

.....  appoints coaches as team depart for Gabon.

The board of the Nigeria Handball Federation has approved and scheduled the U-12 and U-15 championship for Lagos in March whilst U-18 and U-21 to hold in Niger in October. 

41 teams set for maiden 'Alice Alaba’ Cadets Handball Championship in Kogi

Over 40 teams from eighteen secondary schools in Kogi State will converge for the maiden edition of the Alice Alaba Cadets Handball Championship slated to hold from February 9 to 11 in the ancient city of Kabba.