BREAKING: Team Abia Wins National U-12, U-15 Handball Championship
The National Under-12 and Under-15 Handball Championship held in Umuahia has come to a close, with Team Abia emerging champions in both male and female categories.
The tournament, organised in collaboration with the Handball Federation of Nigeria and the Abia State Government, was themed “ABIA 2025”.
Speaking during the closing ceremony, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Cyril Nwaigwe, expressed appreciation to all participants and noted that the event had promoted peace, love, and unity among Nigerians through sports.
He commended the athletes and highlighted that Team Abia’s outstanding performance reflected the impact of the significant financial investments made by Governor Alex Otti, who sponsored the tournament.
The Secretary General of the Handball Federation of Nigeria, Monica O., and the South East Representative of the Federation, Sir Onyii Wamah, both lauded the return of competitive handball in Abia. They recalled that the state had a strong tradition of producing talented handball players in the past.
The Abia State Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George, described the tournament as “perfect, well organised, everything went accordingly.”
“You can see that there is much improvement in what we are doing in the state and the Handball Federation body is happy, you can see smiles on their faces,” he said.
He went on to thank the administration of Dr. Alex Chioma Otti and the Commissioner for Sports, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, for their support, stressing that Abia’s victory was the result of hard work and dedication. He noted that this was the first time the state had secured first place in both male and female Under-15 categories, declaring that “beyond the sky is going to be the limit” for sports in Abia.
Reacting to the victory, Team Abia player Miss Orji Mercy Chioma said she was filled with joy and grateful to God for their success. She attributed the win to rigorous training and the encouragement they received from their coach.
THE WHISTLER reports that a total of 20 states participated in the competition. Team Sokoto won the Under-12 Male Championship, while Team Benue clinched the Under-12 Female title, among other winners in various categories.
