Date: 2019-12-25

Kwara state has been given the hosting rights to host the National U-18 and 21 Handball Championships, the chairman of Kwara state handball association, Emmanuel Olubiyo said.

Olubiyo stated this when the deputy governor, Kayode Alabi and the commissioner for sports, Joana Kolo visited the handball teams yesterday at the state capital.

He said that hosting the national championships will help fast track the renovation of the outdoor court adding that the state government is committed to a successful hosting.

"Kwara state has been given the hosting right for the U18 and 21 championships. You should not forget that we are the defending champions in the women's U21 category and settled for silver in the men's category after losing to only Lagos state," he said

"The state is also the defending champion of the National Youth Games (girl's category) and we will continue to support the team."

"Before the hosting right of the U18 and 21 championships were slated for Ilorin, plans were on ground to renovate the outdoor court and thank God, the current deputy governor, Kayode Alabi (an ex player) who also represented the state in 1979 and won laurels is interested in the development of handball".

According to him "The hosting right will allow for the speedy completion of the court and with the new commissioner for sports, Joana Kolo, serious commitment and joint efforts are in place by the government, the association and lovers of the game to get this place fixed".