Confederation of Africa Handball lifts ban on Nigeria

Yusuf Dauda, President of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) says the Confederation of Africa Handball (CAHB) has lifted the ban on HFN following the payment of its outstanding debt.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that CAHB, had placed a ban on the country for failure to pay appearance and participation fees in the Africa Men’s Championship held in Egypt, in January 2016.

Dauda, who did not state the exact amount, told NAN in Lagos on Friday that the Ministry of Youth and Sports made the money available during the month, after a persistent plea by the federation.

He said that the payment made recently compelled the continental body to lift the ban on Nigeria, adding that it had opened its chances of participating in CAHB’s organised championships.

“We are affiliated to CAHB, the sport’s governing in Africa; we participated in the Nation’s Cup and could not fulfill the body’s financial requirement, leading to our ban.

“We communicated the issue to the sports ministry with the letter banning Nigeria and sat on the ministry all through last year until it responded in December 2016 and approved the money.

“I am happy to say that we have paid our debt to CAHB, as I speak now; the ban on Nigeria has been lifted and so, we are now free.

“With this good development, Nigeria has been re-absorbed into the continental body and our chances of participating in CAHB-organised competitions are sure,’’ he said.

The HFN president restated its appreciation to the ministry for the remarkable assistance.

“The handball family cannot thank the ministry enough because it really came to our rescue at a time it mattered most, it’s a good beginning for us,’’ he said.

Dauda, however, regretted the absence of the female national team in CAHB organised draw held in Angola in 2016 ahead of 2017 Women’s Cup qualifiers for 2017 Women World Championship.