Sports Minister Sunday Dare Praises Sam Ocheho-led HFN

Sports Minister Sunday Dare Praises Sam Ocheho-led HFN

By Cosmos Chukwuemeka

The minister of sports and youth development Mr. Sunday Dare has hailed the visionary leadership of Sam Ocheho led board of the Handball Federation of Nigeria for the rapid growth of handball in the country.

The minister who was a guest of HFN on Monday at the Prudent Energy Handball Premier League phase 2 ongoing at the Rowe Park Center, watched two matches i.e Seasider Babes/Kada Queens and Sokoto Rima/Owena.

Mr Dare who was quite impressed with the level of play and organisation of the league praised HFN president, Sam Ocheho and the entire handball family for reviving the sport from its state of near death to a sport that is back to reckoning in Nigeria.

He particularly praised Ocheho for his zeal in revamping the entire system of handball and bringing his wealth of knowledge to the administration of the sport.

He also promised the support of the ministry in terms of funds and other logistics.

"I had a private conversation with HFN president and i must thank him for his resourcefulness, commitment and devotion in terms of commitment and using his resources in preparing teams for competition". He said

The ministry will not only find some level of support and funding for HFN but work with the board to get more corporate organisations to sponsor activities of the federation.

I have told Mr. Ocheho that he should prepare the programme of the federation latest by January so we can factor them into our plans. We are developing a business model around sports which involves lots corporate/private companies partnership. When that model is fully developed, we will start implementing it. Sports development, including handball will get massive support".

The minister who promised that the ministry of sports will have a better relationship with HFN as he intends to be minister for all sports not just a particular sport, paid plaudit on the sponsor of the handball league, Prudent Energy for helping in the development of handball saying that it is the right formula for the growth of sports in the country.