National U-12/U-15 Handball Championship Gets New Date, Venue Confirmed

The Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) has confirmed that the 2026 National Under-12 and Under-15 Handball Championship for boys and girls will be held in Umuahia, Abia State, following a slight adjustment to the competition schedule.

Secretary General of the federation, Mrs. Monica Otumala, in a statement announced that participating teams are expected to arrive on March 23, 2026. Player screening will take place on March 24 at 9:30 a.m., with matches scheduled to run from March 24 to April 1. Departure has been fixed for April 2, 2026.

According to Mrs. Otumala, the adjustment became necessary as the earlier dates coincided with the Sallah holiday. She noted that aside from the change in timing, all other arrangements remain intact.

The HFN emphasized strict compliance with eligibility requirements. Participating teams must ensure that players fall within the approved age categories and present their National Identification Number (NIN) certificates along with passport photographs during the screening process.

Mrs. Otumala cautioned coaches and team officials against the poaching or transfer of underage players between teams or states, describing such practices as unacceptable.

She stressed that any violation of the federation’s regulations would attract severe sanctions.

“The decision of the Handball Federation of Nigeria on all matters concerning screening and technical issues shall be final,” she stated, adding that the federation would not tolerate any breach of its guidelines.

She further directed that definitive registration lists, including players’ biometric data and NIN details, must be submitted to the HFN secretariat on or before March 10, 2026. Alternatively, documents may be presented at the pre-match meeting scheduled for March 24. Submissions made after the meeting will incur penalties.

In a significant incentive for participants, the federation disclosed that winners and runners-up in both age categories will represent Nigeria at the Partille Cup in Sweden and the Teramo Cup in Italy, providing young athletes with valuable international exposure.

Mrs. Otumala called on stakeholders to lend their support to the championship, describing it as a vital platform for grassroots talent development and a cornerstone for strengthening the future of handball in Nigeria.