Olopade commends handball teams outing in Togo, visits Judo team camp

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, has commended the victorious outings of the U-18 and U-20 teams at the just-concluded IHF trophy zone 3 in Lome, Togo, saying their triumph has brought renewed confidence in the country’s male athletes.

The DG, who stated when he received the teams in his office in Abuja, said, “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.

“At a time when our women athletes have dominated international success for the country, it is quite refreshing to see our male teams achieving this sort of international success as well.

“I took my time to watch some good handball matches at the last sports festival in Ogun state, and I strongly believe that with an extra push, we have what it takes to break the dominance of the North Africans. I want to thank the leadership of the handball federation of Nigeria, led by the Hardworking President, Jibril Saidu, who has continued to show impressive passion to grow the sport.”

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Olopade, however, assured the Handball Federation that the Commission will make sure they are adequately supported for the continental championship coming up later in the year.

President of the Nigeria Handball Federation (NHF), Jibril Saidu, thanked the Commission leadership for giving handball a serious sense of belonging and reassured that the Federation is going to the continental tournament to win it.

In a related development, Olopade also visited the camp of Nigeria’s senior judo team ahead of the forthcoming Africa senior judo championship in Kenya.

While assuring the athletes of the government’s backing as they intensify preparations to fly the country’s flag in Nairobi, Kenya, later in the month, the DG reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensure no stone is left unturned for the team to prepare adequately for the tournament.

He said, “I personally bring you greetings from the Chairman of the Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, who is also keen to see that sports like Judo receive adequate support to reach their full potential.

“I understand that this year’s tournament in Kenya is also a pathway to the Olympic qualifiers, which attests to the seriousness the Commission has attached to your camping and preparations.

“Rest assured that all your requests have been approved and your guy’s job is to go out there and do the country proud in performance and in conduct.”

Team captain, Kehinde Aremu, while thanking the Director General, said the visit has further put more fire in their belly to go do the country proud.