Team Imo emerged overall winner in the fourth edition of the Southeast Under-15 Handball Championship, both in the male and female categories, which climaxed at the Umuahia Township Stadium, at the weekend.
The championship which was put together by the Lions/Grasshoppers International Handball legends in collaboration with the office of the southeast zonal representative of the Handball Federation of Nigeria and Abia State Ministry for Youth and Sports, witnessed four southeastern states with the exception of Ebonyi state participating.
Abia, Enugu and Anambra States placed second, third and fourth respectively on the medals standings in both categories, as all the players, coaches and officials showed class, enthusiasm and scintillating performances during the 3-day event
For winning the tournament, team Imo were rewarded with two giant trophies, medals, certificate of participation and other educational incentives, wihile other states got the desired recognition and commendation.
Other awardees in the male category include highest goalscorer (Eneh Obioha, Enugu), best male player (Chukwuemeka Joshua, Abia), best goalkeeper (Michael Akujiobi, Imo).
For the female category, Ozorsike Uchendu (Imo) received the best goal keeper award, David Mary (Abia) got the highest goalscorer, Nmesoma Obigwe (Enugu) was adjudged the best goalkeeper of the tournament, just as Anambra State emerged the best behaved team award.
Organizers of the championship, expressed immense gratitude to the host, Abia State government for its financial and moral support as well as development of grassroot and school sports since it’s inception in office three years ago.
They commended the high level of doggedness, spirited performances and participation from the various states, while urging them to look beyond their recent achievements to aspire for greater heights in future championship
The Lions/Grasshoppers International Handball legends , a group of ex-internationals from the region based within and outside the country, has reassured that they will continually throw their weight behind the development of the game.
