Rivers Handball players aim for Niger Delta Games Gold
Photo : Rivers State female Handball team
Players of the Rivers state handball team have sent strong warning to their opponents at the forthcoming Niger Delta Games that they will be in Benin City for the Gold medal this time.
Speaking after the conclusion of the Handball trials for Edo 2026 at the Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the players that spoke were unanimous in their resolve to hit gold later this month.
It could sound unrealistic, given that their performance at the inaugural edition in Uyo last year were not up to expectation, but the players remain adamant that their experience combined with their preparations for this edition will bring them good returns.
Speaking on their readiness, Goalkeeper Richard Harrison declared that they’re ready to take Benin by storm, hinging his belief on his team’s good preparation.
“We are very much prepared. For me, I will say it’s 100% for us. We have been training, morning and evening, so the preparation is good, all that’s needed is just to have team work and I think we can go for Gold,” said Harrison.
His teammate ThankGod David also echoed Harrison’s thoughts, adding that they have put in enough work in preparations that should see them come out tops when they face their regional opponents as from February 20.
“We are very confident in our abilities as we have put in enough efforts in our trainings. So we believe that as we are heading for the competition, we, as a team are emerging victorious,” said David.
The Rivers Handball team are aware of their poor past and ready to create a new experience.
For Godspower Idango, he says that their lacklustre performance last year has brought a renewed hunger in them ahead of this year’s competition and assures of a great outing.
“We are looking forward to this year’s Games. We didn’t do well last year so my teammates and I are hungry and angry so much that we are putting in much work both in the morning and evening.
“So, I want to assure you that we will come out victorious in Edo state.”
Lily Emmanuel, a young lady who spoke on behalf of the women’s team, believes the team is ready and equipped to make the state proud this year.
“I wasn’t actually proud of our experience last year but this year, we are fully prepared. We are going to win, we are not coming to make up the numbers. We are ‘Team Rivers’, and we are going to make Rivers state proud.
“We’ve been training intensively from the beginning of January . We’ve been able to do endurance trainings that has given us greater strength so, the result will be different this time,” said Lily.
The Rivers state trials for Edo 2026 Niger Delta Games continued on Wednesday with Volleyball and Taekwondo taking centre stage
