Lagos – The national male handball team which is billed to play its first match at the African Handball Nations Cup in Egypt on Thursday has yet to depart the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition, organised by the Confederation of African Handball (CAHB) will begin on Thursday in Cairo with Nigeria playing against Cameroon at 10 a.m.
An official of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) told NAN that the team which would have departed on Tuesday could not make it because of the non-release of funds.
The Technical Director of HFN, Patrick Atuse, said that the body had yet to get funds from the sports authority to purchase ticket for the trip.
Atuse said that it was important for the team to arrive at the competition venue early enough to enable them to settle down and be in form for their game.
“We actually proposed to travel today (Tuesday) but till now no money has been released for our ticket, that’s how it stands now, we are not sure of making it today.
“On a good day, we are supposed to be in Egypt today because we will be having our first match with Cameroun on Thursday by 10 a.m. and we are still here.
“This is not good for our image and the psychology of the players who have trained and are eager to represent our great nation and excel at the championships,’’ he said.
The director disclosed that only 15 players out of the 18 proposed would eventually make the trip, adding that it was as a result of paucity of funds.
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“Thirty players were invited to camp but 18 who proved their skills and technical abilities were selected to make the team, but only 15 will go,’’ he said.
NAN reports that Nigeria team is drawn in group A alongside defending champions Algeria, Cameroun, Morocco and Gabon, while group B has Tunisia, Angola, Libya and DR Congo.
The championship for senior handball teams in Africa will also serve as a qualifying tournament for the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil and for the World Championships.
NAN reports that the championship organised by the Confederation of Africa Handball (CAHB), commenced in 1974 and has remained the only continental handball competition. (NAN)
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