IKPO IGBINOBA
Ex-international, Oluranti Oluwole is full of hope that Nigeria would flourish again in the game of handball if the stakeholders treat it as business.
Speaking to PM EXPRESS in a telephone interview, Mr. Oluwole who is the chairman of the Ogun State Handball Association said stakeholders must show more commitment by treating handball as business.
According to him “It is very possible for Nigeria to re-enact the golden era of handball. We still have the talents all over the country.
“But stakeholders must take handball as business because that is the only way to catch up with the super powers of the world in handball”.
He noted that handball was not just a game or hobby but big money-making business.
Mr. Oluwole stressed that every stakeholder must be involved in the drive to restore the golden era of Nigerian handball.
“Every stakeholder has a role to play in the arduous journey to reinvent and reposition Nigerian handball.
“From government at all levels, to corporate bodies and even parents, all must work together if our handball must boom again”.
He spelt out the different roles for the respective stakeholders in the dream to revive the Nigerian game.
“Government has a major role to play by providing the facilities, funding the national teams and also encouraging Corporate Nigeria to support handball by granting tax relief to sponsors.
“For corporate bodies, they should sponsor championships at different levels so as to boost the popularity of the sport and develop the talents.
“Corporate bodies should consider investing in handball as a wise investment with returns coming in various ways.
“By such sponsorships, they’ll enhance the visibility of their brand, boost sales, make more profit and contribute to national development.
“As for parents, they should encourage their children to take to handball especially those not doing well in academics. Some children are good in sports but not quite good in academics.
“Such children should be encouraged to participate in handball because they could make it through the sport”.
“With the stakeholders doing their respective bits, Nigeria’ll return to her days of glory in handball”, Mr. Oluwole added.
Mr. Oluwole, a lawyer, played for Nigeria in the Under 12 World Handball Championship in 1986 and 1987 in Italy. He played in the NUGA Games at senior level.