From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
A sports analyst, Mr Paul Simon, has called for urgent leadership change in the Kogi State Handball Association, lamenting the crumbling of previous achievements recorded by the association in the state.
Simon noted that under the chairmanship of Mr. Jubril Ojih Saidu, the association has witnessed a significant decline in performance, participation, and overall development, leading to a collective call for his resignation after seven years in office.
In a statement to newsmen, the sports analyst said, “The once-thriving Kogi State Handball Association, revered for its dominance in underage handball categories, now finds itself in a precarious state, with many voices within the handball community calling for a change in leadership. Under the chairmanship of Mr. Jubril Ojih Saidu, the association has witnessed a significant decline in performance, participation, and overall development, leading to a collective call for his resignation after seven years in office.
“Reflecting on the glory days of Kogi State handball, former chairman Okakwu I of the Attah of Igala, fondly remembered for his visionary leadership, led the association to numerous victories. From 1991 to 1998, Kogi State dominated underage handball, securing the U12 championship in 1992, the U15 in 1994, and even reaching the silver medal in both U15 and U18 categories by 1995.
“The female handball team qualified for the National Sports Festival in 1998, and this winning streak continued with the U18’s last major victory in Lagos, further cementing Kogi State’s reputation as a handball powerhouse.
“However, under Mr. Jubril Saidu’s leadership since 2018, the achievements of the past have all but vanished. One glaring shortfall has been the complete absence of Kogi’s underage participation—an essential aspect of handball development. Over the past five years (2019–2023), the U12/U15 Handball Championships have been hosted by Sokoto State, offering free accommodation and meals to participants, yet Kogi State has failed to send a single team, raising concerns about the association’s priorities.
“More recently, Kogi State’s Confluence Stars, the state’s premier handball team, suffered an accident while returning from a Premier League match in Lagos. The sports community was stunned when Mr Saidu publicly criticised the state government for abandoning the team, only to be rebuked by the Kogi State Sports Council for failing to secure proper approval for the team’s travel.
“Several internal issues have also plagued the association during Mr. Saidu’s tenure. Coaches and officials from Kogi State have been overlooked in favour of those brought in from outside, leaving local experts and professionals sidelined. This has contributed to a growing sentiment that the chairman’s administration has not only stalled progress but also alienated key stakeholders.
“Comrade Ogah Mark Okpanachi, a key figure in Kogi’s sports community, has emerged as a candidate poised to restore the association’s past glories. He and other handball enthusiasts argue that the state needs a fresh, capable hand at the helm—someone committed to nurturing local talent and promoting sustainable development.
“We do not hate the chairman, but we are realistic about the developmental needs of Kogi State Handball. After seven years, it’s time for him to step aside. Our underage categories have disappeared; our premier team faces relegation; and local coaches have been neglected. The time for change is now.”
“This sentiment is echoed by several prominent figures, including Chief Moses Balogun, a founding member of the Kogi State Handball Association. In a recent statement, he condemned the current state of handball in Kogi under Mr. Saidu’s leadership, declaring that ‘enough is enough.’
“The last seven years have been unfortunate and wasteful for Kogi State Handball. We need collective responsibility and leadership with a vision to reposition handball in the state. Mr. Saidu’s tenure has added sorrow, not benefit, to the association, and the time has come for him to step down.”
“With the Confluence Stars on the brink of relegation and the association mired in administrative failures, the call for a new chairman is louder than ever. Stakeholders in Kogi State Handball have vowed to return the sport to its former glory within two years, but this goal hinges on new leadership and a fresh direction.
“The path forward is clear: Kogi State Handball needs revitalization, and it needs it now. The ball is firmly in the court of those entrusted with its future,” the statement said.
