Nigeria’s Senior Men’s Handball coach, Rafiu Salami has opened up on how his recently-acquired International Handball Federation licence will benefit the country.
Salami was one of the participants at the IHF Coaching Course held in Cairo, Egypt from 22nd to 29th October 2024.
He revealed that Nigeria was close to missing out of the 2024 African Men’s Nations Cup in January due to the country’s inability to register an IHF A Licensed coach.
Salami said, “The IHF A Licence is a good development for Nigeria handball and myself. I know it is great for the country to have an IHF A coach because what happened to the senior national team at the African Nations Cup will not repeat itself.
“Nigeria had to secure the services of a coach from our neighbouring country to fill in the position. I hope I will be available to assist my country and avoid sanctions.
“We had four of us in B License, they chose one using their parameters. I am happy we have a Licence A coach; the issue is no longer there but I wish we had more Nigerians. Handball changes every day; we learn new things daily. Modern techniques were taught during the course and it will help develop certain aspects of the game. I am sure Nigeria’s handball will benefit from what I have acquired.”
Salami urged the Handball Federation to ensure that the national team embark on foreign tours, and to play international friendlies before major tournaments.
He said, “Since I came to the senior national team, I have been trying my best to change the fortunes of handball in the country. Four years ago, Nigeria finished in the last position at the African Nations Cup, and the team moved up with time lifting the President’s Cup this year.
“The only thing that interests me is that we have a young generation of talented players who will play better handball with time. What I will plead with the Federation and National Sports Commission is exposure; we cannot do anything camping in a particular place for three to five months without playing stronger countries before embarking on the International Championships.”
Similarly, The President of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) Mr. Samuel Ocheho has congratulated Rafiu Salami after he bagged his IHF License A Coaching License.
Ocheho noted the influence of Coach Rafiu Salami in the growth of handball in Nigeria and on the national teams which saw the Golden Arrows win bronze earlier in the year at the All Africa Games in Cairo, Egypt.
The HFN President believes this new feat will improve the lot and profile of Coach Rafiu Salami and also help in the further growth of Handball in Nigeria especially in the national teams.
“I am very excited about this feat by our senior national team manager, Coach Rafiu Salami as he gets his IHF Coaching License A certificate.
“This feat will improve his lot and profile as one of the top coaches amongst the league of top handballing nations in the globe and also help in the continued growth of our sport especially in the national team.”
Ocheho said HFN will not stop supporting coaches who aim for greatness whilst also referring to top Nigeria coaches who have gotten different categories of IHF Coaching Licenses in the past year.
How Nigeria Will Benefit From My IHF Coaching Licence – Handball Coach is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
