NSC pledges support for handball, judo continental bids
National Sports Commission (NSC) Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade on Monday received the victorious U18 and U20 handball teams and visited the senior judo team’s training camp in Abuja, pledging
National Sports Commission (NSC) Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade on Monday received the victorious U18 and U20 handball teams and visited the senior judo team's training camp in Abuja, pledging government support for both sides ahead of their respective continental competitions.
Olopade welcomed the handball teams, who won the IHF Trophy Zone 3 tournament in Lomé, Togo, saying the triumph had restored confidence in Nigeria's male athletes at a time when the country's women had been the dominant face of international success.
"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," he said.
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He also expressed confidence that Nigeria could break North Africa's regional dominance in handball with the right backing, citing what he witnessed at the last National Sports Festival in Ogun State as evidence of the country's potential.
The DG assured the Nigeria Handball Federation of adequate support ahead of the continental championship later in the year and commended federation President Jibril Saidu for his leadership. Saidu, in response, declared that the federation would be going to the continental tournament with the sole aim of winning it.
In a related development, Olopade later visited the senior judo team's training camp, where he reaffirmed the government's commitment to their preparations for the Africa Senior Judo Championship in Nairobi, Kenya, from April 20 to 29.
He told the judokas that all their requests had been approved and conveyed the personal support of NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko. He also highlighted the tournament's importance as a pathway to the Olympic qualifiers.
Team captain Kehinde Aremu thanked the DG for the visit, saying it had strengthened the team's resolve ahead of the championship.
