Kogi handball stakeholders call for overhaul in leadership structure

Handball stakeholders in Kogi State are calling for a comprehensive leadership reform within the state’s handball association to restore the sport’s prominence.

Addressing journalists after a visit to the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Monday Aridaojo Anyebe, in his office in Lokoja on Tuesday, the stakeholders outlined the achievements and setbacks of Kogi State handball since its inception in 1991, saying there is a need for immediate change to revive the state’s handball culture.

They noted that Kogi State’s handball history includes significant accomplishments, from winning national underage tournaments in the 1990s to representing Nigeria in international competitions. Kogi’s under-15 boys’ team won gold in Italy in 1995, while local teams performed well in various national championships up until 2019.

However, the stakeholders noted a decline in participation and development initiatives, which they attribute to issues within the association’s leadership.

They revealed that since 2020, Kogi’s Confluence Stars, the state’s premier league team, has struggled to participate in the league due to financial constraints and a lack of support.

This situation, according to them, has led some players to seek opportunities with teams in other states, undermining team cohesion and player morale.

Additionally, the once-thriving Confluence Queens female team, which participated in national tournaments until 2020, has since been disbanded.

Stakeholders attribute much of the sport’s recent decline to the leadership of Mr. Jibril Saidu, the current chairman of Kogi State Handball Association. They allege that Mr. Saidu’s decision to withdraw sponsorship, along with personal conflicts, has prevented Kogi from participating