The game of handball may have suffered some developmental hiccups in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the past, but respite has come as a Non-governmental Organization (NGO), Richard Agbonifo Hand2Hand Sports Foundation, has donated jerseys, balls and training kits to eight handball teams from the six area council of FCT the kick start the rebirth of the sports in Nigeria’s capital city.
Presenting the jerseys and training kits to the beneficiary clubs at the Old Parade Ground’s Handball Court in Abuja on Monday, the founder and president of the foundation, Mr Richard Agbonifo, said the donation is aimed at boosting youth empowerment through sports and education.
Mr Agbonifo, who was a former handball player but currently lives in Germany, said his focus is to assist all talented kids realise their dream of playing any sport they like, not necessarily handball .
“The foundation is here in Nigeria to develop kids in sports and education, help them in any way they can and take them off the street by giving them opportunities to do sport that they love to do and education. Our objective is to put smiles on their faces and let them know that they are very important in society.
“These teams don’t have jerseys and training kits, and the only way to really support and encourage them to do what they are doing, are the reasons why we are doing what you are seeing now.
“I was born here in Nigeria and played handball here before moving on to play professional handball in Italy and Germany. I knew what I went through to get to where I’m today. I knew getting just a canvas to train was hell.
“Our mentally here in Nigeria is that sports is for people who don’t have anything to do and because of that sports is not enjoying support in the country. So, I just want to do my part, start a conversation for people to understand what sports people are going through in Nigeria.
“There are a lot of talents in this country but they are not being supported. Our talents are spread everywhere round the world, doing sports for other countries instead of Nigeria. One of the best boxers in the world today is a Nigerian but he is boxing for England. We have a lot of football players playing for England, America and other countries in Europe.
“We have athletic athletes in Germany who are Nigerians but they are running for Germany. It is not because they like Germany more than Nigeria but they didn’t get the support in Nigeria. Handball is my family but what I’m doing is for every sport. We did it in athletics and we are also engaging in basketball, volleyball, boxing, judo and karate. My appeal to every sports association in Abuja is that if you need support, come to Hand2Hand Sports Foundation,” Agbonife said.
Meanwhile, in exhibition matches played to entertain guests during the presentation of the jerseys and training kits to beneficiary clubs, Kwali Area Council U-12 boys handball team beat their Abaji Area Council’s counterparts 9-5, while AMAC U12 girls defeated their counterparts from Bwari Area Council 3-1.
FCT Para-soccer team also benefited from Richard Agbonife Hand2Hand Sports Foundation donation just as the foundation also gave out scholarships to 10 students.
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