Bala Mohammed: Safety Shooters changed tactics to win 2020 handball league

The Head Coach of Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, handball clubs, Safety Shooters and Safety Babes, Bala Mohammed has attributed the victory of Safety Shooters in the recently concluded 3rd edition of Prudent Energy Handball League to change in tactical play and hard work on the part of the players. In this exclusive chat with […]

The Head Coach of Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, handball clubs, Safety Shooters and Safety Babes, Bala Mohammed has attributed the victory of Safety Shooters in the recently concluded 3rd edition of Prudent Energy Handball League to change in tactical play and hard work on the part of the players. In this exclusive chat with Trust Sports, the former international spoke on his team’s victory and what he intends to do in order to win both the men and women’s titles in the 2021 League season.

Considering their pedigree, why have Safety Shooters just won their first Prudent Energy Handball League title?

Everybody knows the abilities of the Safety Shooters and Safety Babes. Before now, we have dominated the handball scene in the country. There was a time both clubs won the titles, three times in a row. Safety Babes went into this year’s Prudent Energy League as the defending champions. However, it took Safety Shooters a while to win in this new era because there were more intrigues and the competition became stiffer. Every club wanted to win. And each club saw us as a threat. So it was not easy to win the Prudent Energy Handball League title.

In view of the fierce competition, what did you do differently to win the league title?

This season we prepared very well against all the strong teams. We had to change our tactical play and our plan was to win all our matches. To achieve this, we worked extra hard. Interestingly, my boys responded very well to training. Even as they were just coming back from the COVID-19 break, there were no injuries. So everything went according to plan.

How many matches did you play on your way to winning the league title?

We played ten matches and won nine. After our victory in the ninth match, we knew we were going to be crowned champions. So even when we lost our final match against Sokoto Rima, there was no stopping us.

Would you say your players became complacent in the last match?

Yes, something of sort. We planned to finish the tournament unbeaten but it was not possible because my players didn’t put in the same effort. They got complacent, maybe because they felt there was nothing at stake.

Which of the matches was your best in the tournament?

I cannot be specific because other teams were also determined to win and came all out against us. So every other match we played and won brought us so much happiness. The teams challenged us to the limit.

Which of the matches was the toughest for your team?

Like I said, every other match was tough. Once you are identified as a potential champion, any other team that is coming to pay against you will be well prepared. However, I will mention matches we played against formidable opponents like Kano Pillars, Niger United, Lagos Seasiders and Civil Defence as being the toughest for us. We didn’t find them easily at all.

What is your assessment of the organisation of the Prudent Energy handball League?

I have to be honest and candid. There is a tremendous improvement. The organisational structure and support to the clubs is encouraging. We are gradually returning to the days when Malta Guinness sponsored the league. And with Prudent Energy as current sponsors, there is now added advantage. They have improved on what Malta Guinness did. We are now enjoying more incentives in the form of financial support to the clubs and kitting of the teams. We give kudos to the new sponsors and the leadership of the handball federation. When you don’t have and someone comes forward to support you, what do you say? You must show appreciation. There is an improvement, but we hope to see more positive changes.

And what would be these changes you wish to see?

You see, human beings are insatiable. Like Oliver Twist, we can’t stop asking for more. We want to see more openness and transparency in the federation’s dealings with the clubs. I must appreciate the handling of the transfer deals this season. We have no cause to complain. Once there is a level playing field, the league will be played without rancour. Secondly, we need to improve on officiating. Our referees need support to be in tune with the changing trends in the game. Most of them have been stagnant for too long. Reading online is not the issue because sports is a practical thing. It is what you do on the field that matters. They need to interact with the rest of the world to be abreast of new trends. The federation needs to do more in the area of officiating. Anytime we go out for competitions, it is referees from the Franco-phone countries that are picked to officiate the matches. We are teachers of the game and they are the interpreters of the laws of the game. If the teachers are improving and the interpreters are stagnant, it will only lead to unnecessary arguments and confrontations.

Having broken what was becoming a jinx, what are your plans for next year’s league season?

Before the start of this year’s edition, I was asked what I wanted to achieve. I told everyone that I was in the league to win. I said I wanted to win all my matches. To the glory of God, I won in the male category. I wanted to win in both categories, but my ladies dropped their title. I am going back to the drawing board. It is not going to be easy but we would keep working hard. This isn’t my first time winning so I know what is required of my team. Remember I told you that I had won three times in a row in both the male and female categories. So to answer your question, I will work towards winning the two league titles next year.

How much support are you getting from your sponsors, the Federal Road Safety Corps?

We wouldn’t have achieved all these without the unflinching support of the management of the Crops, particularly the Corps Marshal who is deeply committed to the success of the handball clubs. The Corps Marshal and the management ensured money was released in good time and we judiciously used what was made available to us. There were no complaints from the players. They were highly motivated as they concentrated on the matches. We remain grateful to the Corps Marshall, Deputy Corps Marshal in charge of training, the head of sports and the entire FRSC family. They believe so much in what we are doing and that is why we have continued to achieve results.