HFN Mourns, As Ex-National Team Coach Dies After Brief Ailment

HFN Mourns, As Ex-National Team Coach Dies After Brief Ailment

By Cosmos Chukwuemeka Akisi

The Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) have expressed shock over the death of former Senior Women National Team player and Coach, Stella Ndudi nee Odoemena who died on Thursday in Owerri, Imo State.

Coach Stella, until her death was the coach of Prudent Energy Handball Premier League side Imo Grasshoppers and also was one of the coaches of the National Under 20 Women Team.

HFN Secretary General Alhaji Maigidasanma Mohammed described coach Stella as an astute professional per excellence who was dedicated to serving her nation.

"I am short of words" He said.

"Stella was an important player in the national team that qualified for the 1992 Olympics Games in Barcelona, Spain after winning the Africa Women Handball Nations Cup in Egypt in 1991.

She has been fantastic for the national team as a player and also as coach.

May Almighty Allah take care of her children and be a mother to her children"

President of HFN Mr. Samuel Ocheho, while also mourning the death of coach Stella, declared that the handball family have lost a woman who helped developed the sport amongst women in the grassroots.

He, on behalf of the federation, sympathise with the Nigeria Handball Coaches, Imo State Handball Association and her family.

Techinal Director of HFN, Coach Ferdinand Emeana, who works closely with her in the Imo State Handball Association, says he is shocked that coach Stella is dead as she had great plans to continue to propagate the good of handball at the grassroot level.

Coach Stella Ndudi, who died after a brief ailment, was an assistant director with Imo State Sports commission and the Chief Coach of Prudent Energy Handball Premier League side, Imo Grasshoppers .

She led the Imo Grasshoppers Handball Club to many successful tournaments.

As a player and captain, she led Grasshoppers to win several national and even international championships in the late 80s and 90s.

She was also consistent with the national team, helping the team to win their 1st African Nations cup for Nigeria in 1991 as they defeated Angola in Egypt and also qualified for the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.

She was part of the Techinal Crew of the National Under 20 Women Handball Team that participated the IHF Challenge Trophy in 2019 at Niamey, Niger Republic.