‘Prudent Energy League to drive handball’s development programme’

President of Handball Federation of Nigeria, Mr. Sam Ocheho believes the Prudent Energy Handball League, scheduled to begin on April 27, will help the federation’s drive to grow the sport in the country. The league will feature teams drawn from across the country..

Speaking to The Guardian at the end of the 2018 U-12 and U-15 national handball finals at Rowe Park, Yaba, Lagos, Ocheho said he was excited with the level of skills displayed by the young handball players from over 25 teams that attended the competition in Lagos.

He enthused that “the next tournament starts with Prudent Energy League on April 27, after which another major championship game fellows in June here in Lagos.” He disclosed that some international teams would attend the next handball tournament, adding that the federation will return to its age grade level in July with a tournament for the U-18 and U-21s on the card.

“There are so many other championships that will take place before the year runs out, but one of the most important things we have done in this tournament is that we were able to identify about 80 talents, and in the future, we will call them out in a summer holiday programme. This tournament is going to be consistent,” he stated.

Ocheho disclosed that the Prudent Energy is one of the best sponsors when it comes to handball games, adding, “They have divided the league into phase one and phase two and will give out N1 million to the first position, N750,000 to the second placed team and N500,000 to the third winner. ’’

They will also kit the players with two jerseys in each phase, and also give out subsidy worth N500,000 in both phases.” Lagos State Boys team defeated their Niger State counterparts on penalty to win the U-15 category at the national championship, while Sokoto State took the U-12 crown by beating Lagos 24-22 goals.