The President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engineer Habu Gumel, on Friday evening hosted a special dinner in honour of the visiting President of the Commonwealth Handball Association (CHA), Mrs. Ruth Noluthando Saunders, in Abuja.
The dinner, which took place in a warm and convivial atmosphere, was attended by top members of the NOC Executive Committee, officials of the Commonwealth Handball Association, and board members of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) led by its President, Mr. Jibril Saidu Ojih.
In his remarks, Engineer Gumel, who was ably represented by the Assistant General Secretary of the NOC, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulahi, expressed delight at hosting the Commonwealth Handball Association delegation and commended the HFN for its continuous efforts in promoting handball development in Nigeria.
“It is always a pleasure to host friends of Nigerian sports as this visit of Mrs. Saunders and her team shows that Nigeria remains a key player in the Commonwealth sports family.
We will continue to support handball and all federations committed to excellence and integrity.” Alhaji Abdulahi on behalf of Engineer Gumel said
Highlighting the significance of the visit, HFN President, Mr. Jibril Saidu Ojih, presented awards on behalf of the Federation to Mrs. Saunders and the CHA Treasurer, Mr. Muhammad Shafiq, who also serves as Secretary General of the Asian Handball Association.
Mr. Ojih noted that the gesture was a token of appreciation for their dedication to the growth of handball globally.
“This is our way of saying thank you for your leadership and for the support you continue to extend to the handball community as we look forward to more collaboration between the HFN, CHA, and our partners across the world.” Ojih stated.
In her response, Mrs. Saunders, who is on a working visit to Nigeria to, particularly, inspect the ongoing construction of the CHA Secretariat in Maitama, Abuja, expressed gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality shown by the NOC and HFN.
“Nigeria has always played an important role in the development of handball within the Commonwealth and I am deeply honoured by this recognition and inspired by the passion I have witnessed here.” She said
The event further strengthened the ties between the Nigeria Olympic Committee, the Commonwealth Handball Association, and the Handball Federation of Nigeria, with all parties reaffirming their commitment to advancing handball across Africa and the Commonwealth..
