Sports

We Want Handball, An Alternative Sports To Football In FCT-Chairman

Published

5 years ago

February 15, 2022

…Roll plans for year 2022

By Joel Ajayi

With the coming of the rescue mission Board of the Handball Association in Federal Capital Territory, luck is beginning to shine on the game of handball as the Board rolls out robust plans that will lead to the growth and development of the game.

The FCT interim Chairman of Handball Association and CEO of Poverty Fighters Handball and supporters’ club, Amb. Dr. Edward Olutoke, during a media parley with Journalists on Monday in Abuja, highlighted the plans, as a Handball court inside the old parade ground is wearing a new cloth.

He expressed that the Board is leaving no stone unturned to ensure handball remains an alternative sport to football in Nigeria.

It would be recalled that the poverty fighter squad initiative of the Chairman is using three tools to fight poverty, which are agriculture, housing, and entertainment sports.

Another innovation the board is bringing is to turn old parade ground handball courts around in just one month, “We are going to remodel the courts.

The newly established handball team called the poverty fighter squad would also be playing in a lot of competitions to bring more awareness to the game. The (players) will be duly engaged; we are going to put them on salary.”

“Football happens to be the most popular sport in Nigeria and we are looking for a sport that will also gain attraction. No matter how long, it will surely happen.

Highlighting the plan of actions already in place for handball in FCT, Amb. Olutoke said: “The priority of the present Board is nothing but player’s happiness and it can only happen through competition.

“Within the space of one month, the first ever handball supporters club birth, as the FCT handball court inside old parade ground wears a new look.

“Not only that, friendly matches will be in place from time to time.

“Many players will get scholarships to further their education, as thousands of vulnerable and less privileged will get back on their feet, courtesy of handball in collaboration with many stakeholders.” He said.

Share on Facebook

Sports

Drogba, Amuneke, Eguavoen Lead African Legends’ Arrival in Lagos

Published

15 hours ago

November 7, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With just one day to the much-anticipated Legends of Africa Football Game, Ivorian football icon Didier Drogba has arrived in Lagos, joining an impressive assembly of former African internationals already in the city ahead of Sunday’s star-studded encounter.

Drogba’s arrival further heightens anticipation for the game, which will bring together some of the continent’s most celebrated football figures at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

Also in Lagos are Nigerian football greats Mobi Oparaku, Emmanuel Amuneke, Emmanuel Babayaro, Garba Lawal, Austin Eguavoen and Mutiu Adepoju, alongside other members of the legendary Super Eagles generations of 1994 and 1996.

The African contingent also features distinguished names including Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor, Senegal’s El-Hadji Diouf, Ghana’s Stephen Appiah and Cameroon’s Rigobert Song, among other former international stars.

The excitement will extend beyond the legends’ reunion, with popular Nigerian entertainers and celebrities preparing for a special Celebrity Match as part of the event. Yhemolee, Sheggz, Jeriq, Teddy A and Charles Okocha are among the personalities set to feature in the celebrity fixture, scheduled to begin at 1:30pm.

The Celebrity Match will form part of a wider programme of activities designed to give fans a full day of football, entertainment and celebration before the main legends’ fixture, which kicks off at 5pm. Gates open at 1:30pm.

Organized by Toptier Sports Management in collaboration with Afreximbank and CANEX as part of CANEX WKND 2026, the game will feature 15 Nigerian legends taking on 13 African icons in a celebration of the players whose achievements helped shape the history of football on the continent.

Beyond the match, the programme includes a football clinic involving 500 young players, entertainment and special recognition for the heroes of African football.

The Legends of Africa Football Game promises a memorable gathering of football royalty, bringing together generations of fans to celebrate the enduring legacy of the continent’s finest players.

Share on Facebook