Opeifa Cup: Coach lauds LSHA for sustaining competition

Impression

By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, June 23, 2019 (NAN) Akeem Sunmola, Coach of Jibowu Junior Boys High School, Yaba, on Sunday applauded the Lagos State Handball Association (LSHA) for sustaining the annual Opeifa Cup for secondary schools in the state.

Sunmola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that he was impressed with the general activities in the event being a Lagos State Secondary Schools Handball Championships held from June 17 to June 21.

He said that fixtures of the championships were observed in totality for that officiating was fair.

He noted that there were adequate provision of medical personnel, security and refreshments for participants and officials.

“This is one of the best organised championships since the beginning of Opeifa Cup in 2015. Kudos to LSHA for a job well done and for making this year’s edition wonderful.

“We are regular participants of Opeifa Cup and I realise that there has been great improvement in the organisation, particularly in this 5th edition, because every area was adequately addressed,” he said.

The coach, popularly known as Shine-Shine, described the championships as good initiative that had gone a long way to promote the practice of the sport in private and public secondary schools.

He said schools that were regular participants at the annual championships had been doing well, while players in the schools’ team were gaining exposure needed to sharpen their skills.

“Opeifa Cup has really given handball a good facelift in Lagos and schools are keying into it to equally develop the sport in their schools just to be part of the championships.

“Even the players are taking advantage of their school teams to improve on their techniques which is generally enhancing growth of handball, unity and social activities of participating schools,” he added.

NAN reports that Eletu Odibo Junior High School, Yaba, lifted the trophy in the junior girls category, Onike Junior Girls’ School, Iwaya, came second and United Christian Junior Secondary School, Apapa, emerged third.

In the junior boys, Eletu Odibo Junior High School, Yaba, came first, Herbert Macaulay Junior Secondary School, Sabo, Yaba, placed second and Jibowu High School, Yaba, came third.

While winners in the senior Boys category are Nawarudeen Senior Secondary School, Ogudu, won the trophy, while Zumratu Islamiyya Secondary School, Fadeyi, and Lagos City College, Yaba, came second and third respectively

The senior Girls have Herbert Macaulay Senior Secondary School, Sabo, Yaba, win the trophy, Ken-Ade Private School, Makoko, came second and Nawarudeen Senior Secondary School, Ogudu, emerged third.

NAN also reports that 76 schools from private and public schools featured in juinor boys/girls and senior boys/girls events in the five-day championships organisd by LSHA and sponsored by Kayode Opeifa. (NAN)
MIL/IKU/PDE
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(Edited by Tayo Ikujuni/Peter Ejiofor)