Rivers handball players aim for Niger Delta Games gold

Players of the Rivers state handball team have sent strong messages of warning to their opponents at the forthcoming Niger Delta Games that they will be in Benin City for the gold medal this time.

Speaking after the conclusion of the Handball trials for Edo 2026 at the Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, the players who spoke were unanimous in their resolve to hit gold later this month.

It could sound unrealistic, given that their performances at the inaugural edition in Uyo last year were not up to scratch, but the players remain adamant that the experience, combined with their preparations for this edition, will bring them good returns.

Goalkeeper Richard Harrison led his male teammates in declaring their readiness to take Benin by storm, hinging his belief on his team’s good preparation.

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“We are very, very prepared. For me, I will say it’s a 100% for us. We have been training basically, morning and evening, so the preparation is there, just to put in the teamwork, and I think we can go for Gold,” said Harrison.

His teammate, ThankGod David, also echoed Harrison’s thoughts, adding that they have put in enough work in preparations that should see them come out tops when they face their regional opponents as of February 20.

“We are very confident in our abilities as we have put in enough effort in our training. So we believe that as we are heading for the competition, we, as a team, are emerging victorious,” said David.

The Rivers Handball team are aware of their poor past and ready to create a new experience.

For Godspower Idango, he says that their lacklustre performance last year has brought a renewed hunger in them ahead of this year’s competition and assures a great outing this year.

“We are looking forward to this year’s Games. We didn’t do well last year, so my teammates and I are hungry and angry so much that we are putting in much work both in the morning and evening.

“So, I want to assure you that we will come out victorious in Edo state.”

Lily Emmanuel is a young lady who spoke on behalf of the women’s team, and she believes the team is ready and equipped to make the state proud this year.

“I wasn’t actually proud of the experience last year, but this year, we are going prepared. We are going to win, we are not coming to dull or fail. We are Team Rivers, and we are going to make Rivers state proud.

“We’ve been training from the beginning of January intensively with consistency. We’ve been able to do endurance training that has given us greater strength. The result will be different this time,” said Lily.

The Rivers state trials for Edo 2026 Niger Delta Games continued on Wednesday with Volleyball and Taekwondo taking centre stage.