Despite not qualifying for the National Handball Premiership stage, the Permanent Secretary of the Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Isaac Danladi, has described the State’s Male Handball Team, Nasarawa Ambassadors, as the “real champions” at the just concluded National Division One Handball League held in Benin City, Edo State.

Receiving the team from the qualifiers at the premises of the Ministry on Monday, Danladi said,

“In one of your games that you won at the National Qualifiers, someone called me from one of the neighbouring States, asking whether we have a Handball Team, that they have not been hearing anything about Handball in the State.

“So, you can agree with me that we are changing the narratives, and this is just the beginning of so many things to come.

“In sports, you win some, and you lose some. If you win, it’s good, and if you lose, it’s still good, because you will learn from defeat.

“Let’s always look at the positives. I will brief the State’s Deputy Governor that you are back and I have addressed you, and being encouraged.

“We are already working on modalities to enroll those of you who are not on our payroll yet.

“In all, you went, you saw, and even though you didn’t conquer, you remain our real champions!”

He commended the Coaching Staff headed by Musa Sabo Oji, and Director of Technical of the Ministry, Mustapha Sani Bello, who represented the Organisation at the event for working as a team to get to the level the team got to.

He urged the team to remain united and focused for better outings in the future.

Though the Nasarawa Ambassadors who were making their debut appearance at the National Division One League came 4th overall, three players from the team, including Adamu Yusuf, Godfrey Ekpo Bala, and Saifullah Kasimu, were invited to the National U-17 Male Team.

The trio will join the National U-17 Camp later in September, this year.