Former Nigeria handball captain Ekele gives eight balls to HFN

Former Nigeria senior men’s handball captain Lawrence Ekele has donated eight handballs to the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) to support the sport’s development. The former international, known as “Akara”, made the contribution during a training game involving the national senior women’s team and the national under-18 boys’ side in camp in Abuja.

Ekele, who played for Benue Buffaloes in the Nigeria Handball Premier League, is now based in London. He said his support was motivated by a desire to give back to the sport that enabled him to represent Nigeria.

The former captain praised the federation’s increased attention to grassroots work and under-age competitions. He said the focus on developing young players was an important step in strengthening handball and encouraged former players and other stakeholders to provide similar support.

Ekele also recognised the role of former HFN president Samuel Ocheho in restoring regular handball competitions after a period of almost 10 years without activity. He said current president Jibril Saidu Ojih was continuing that work and trying to build on the progress already made.

Ojih received the balls on behalf of the federation and thanked Ekele for the donation. He urged former players, handball supporters and other stakeholders to work with the HFN as it pursues its development plans.

The equipment was subsequently made available to the national teams in camp. Abdulhakim Yakubu, the federation’s representative for the North-West zone, also provided modern training equipment. The HFN said contributions from former players and other individuals were helping improve player welfare and sustain the growth of handball in Nigeria.