The Secretary-General of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Alhaji Haruna Maigidasanma, said on Tuesday that the victories recorded by Nigeria in the Continental IHF Competition in Kigali were due to hard work and determination.
Maigidansanma said this in a statement on Tuesday while reacting to the victory of the U-18 and U-20 teams on Sunday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the U-20 team defeated their DR Congo counterparts 27-26 in the finals decided on Sunday while the U-18 recorded a 43-31 win over their Guinean counterpart.
Maigidasanma said the results on the short run had encouraged the board to work harder.
“We remain focused and steadfast in our resolve to put Nigeria ’s handball among the comity of handball nations.
“We must remember that government alone cannot do it hence the reason individuals and corporate organisations must support government’s efforts, ” Maigidasanma said.
The secretary-general thanked the ministry for its support to the board, the players as well as the technical crew and board members.
He urged the players to continue to train hard and not lose focus following the successful outing.
NAN reports that the teams have booked their place in the African Junior Nations Cup and World handball championship billed for Marrakech, Morocco, in September and Spain later in the year.
NAN also recalls that the two teams won the Zone 3 play-off in Niamey, Niger Republic, in April while the U-18 picked bronze medal at the African Youth Games in Algeria recently.
The African Junior Nations Cup will hold in Marrakech, Morocco, from Sept.6 to Sept. 15.
