The third edition of the Southeast Under-15 handball Championship began yesterday at the Handball Court of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, following the successful arrival, screening and documentation exercise of the participating teams.
The 3-day tournament which is put together by the Lions and Grasshoppers International Handball Legends in collaboration with the Handball Federation of Nigeria, Southeast Zonal rep and the Enugu State Handball Association, saw participation from Abia, Anambra, Enugu and Imo States both in the male and female categories.
The championship which will serve as an avenue for harnessing the next generation of young and prospective players that would represent the state and country in any major championship, witnessed a massive turnout as sports enthusiasts, passerby as well as business people around stadium complex stop by to catch a glimpse of the excitement and spectacle.
Organizers has reaffirmed that the primary objectives of the event is not about winning but the development and the progress of the game especially from the grassroot, just as the championship will avail the coaches the opportunity to assess the players ability, adaptability and attitude in competition situations.
On the current state of handball in state,
they expressed uttermost displeasure over the high level of negligence, incompetent and corrupt administration and deplorable state of facilities, while emphasizing the significance of investment, procurement of infrastructure and employment of dedicated and quality coaches as part of the activities that will reposition the game at the region.
They further disclosed that after their recently concluded consultations and deliberations, it was unanimously agreed that the President of the Handball Federation of Nigeria and the Southeast rep on the HFN board, twill be conferred with an award of Associate Member, as a way of appreciating their contributions and support for the growth of the game.
Meanwhile in some of the results of games played yesterday, it was indeed a dominating and amazing display by Team Enugu as they outshined Imo (17-9) and edged pass Abia by 14-12, just as Team Abia showed a lot of composure and controlling, defeating Anambra 25-5 in the male category.
The female category was also not short of drama and thrilling moments, with Team Abia who put up a class act performance defeated Anambra 15-4 but lost to host state (Enugu) 5-9, while the impressive Imo Team lost concentration during proceeding, drew 8-8 with Enugu
