Olopade Celebrates Nigerian Youth Handball Teams’ Regional Triumph

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has lauded Nigeria’s Under-18 and Under-20 handball teams following their triumphant return from the IHF Trophy Zone 3 competition in Lomé, Togo.

The teams, who demonstrated regional dominance, were received by the DG at his Abuja office on Monday.

Hon. Olopade, in a statement released by his SA media Kola Daniel on Tuesday, expressed renewed confidence in the nation’s male athletes, stating, “Your performance in Togo has shown that Handball is a progressive sport that deserves all the support from both the private sector and the sports commission.”

He highlighted the refreshing nature of the male teams’ international success, particularly in a period often dominated by female athletes.

The DG, who observed handball matches at the recent sports festival in Ogun state, believes that with additional support, Nigeria can challenge the dominance of North African teams in the sport. He extended gratitude to the President of the Nigeria Handball Federation, Jibril Saidu, for his “impressive passion to grow the sport.”

The NSC further assured the Handball Federation of adequate support for the upcoming continental championship later in the year.

In response, Federation President Jibril Saidu thanked the NSC for its commitment and affirmed the federation’s ambition to win the continental tournament.