Kogi stakeholders endorse new leadership for handball development

The Coordinator, Kogi State Handball Progressive Forum, Mr. Moses Balogun, on Wednesday, explained why stakeholders have endorsed Okpanachi Mark Ogah, as new chairman of the state’s handball association.
Ernest Nzor, Abuja
Balogun said one of the reasons is Ogah’s capacity for leadership and dedication to revitalising the sport, adding that as a known leader, the stakeholders are optimistic that within two years, Ogah would restore the lost glory of handball in Kogi State.

“Backed by prominent figures within the Kogi State handball community, Ogah is expected to restore the state’s lost glory and reinstate its competitive standing in national and international handball within two years.

“As Kogi State’s handball community rallies for change, this collective resolution marks a pivotal moment for the sport’s future, offering a fresh start and a renewed commitment to excellence and opportunity for the athletes of tomorrow,” Balogun said.

Recalling the history and development of handball in the state, he noted that since the creation of the state in 1991, Kogi has featured in the national youth and open competitions, lamenting that things have become so bad now that the state no longer competes at national competitions.

“The female team, Confluence Queens went into extinction after participating in a national championship in Kaduna State in 2020. More disturbing is the fact that our premier league team, Kogi Confluence Stars, are already on their way out of the premier league because of non-participation in the competition.

“Our players have become sheep without shepherds, who now beg other states to allow them to play for them to showcase their talents.

“Consequently, as stakeholders of Kogi State Handball, who are key players, officials and administrators of the game in the state, we have resolved to achieve a better and more all-inclusive leadership with team spirit and objective of purpose that will position handball in Kogi State better than where it is now by taking certain resolutions.

“It is our common resolve that the present board under Mr. Jibril Saidu be dissolved with immediate effect; a new board of Kogi State Handball Association be constituted with members cutting across various local councils of the state.”