National U12/15 handball tourney heads to Umuahia
The Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) has announced that the 2026 National Under-12 and Under-15 Handball Championship for both male and female categories will be held in Umuahia, following a slight adjustment to the original schedule. According to HFN Secretary General Monica Otumala, teams are expected to arrive on March 23, 2026, with player screening […]
handball tourney heads to Umuahia
The Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) has announced that the 2026 National Under-12 and Under-15 Handball Championship for both male and female categories will be held in Umuahia, following a slight adjustment to the original schedule.
According to HFN Secretary General Monica Otumala, teams are expected to arrive on March 23, 2026, with player screening scheduled for March 24 at 9:30 a.m. The tournament will run from March 24 to April 1, with departure slated for April 2. The date was shifted to avoid a clash with the Sallah holiday, while all other arrangements remain unchanged.
Mrs Otumala stressed that participating teams must ensure players meet the approved age categories and present their National Identification Number (NIN) certificates along with passport photographs during screening. She also warned against the poaching or movement of underage players between teams or states, emphasizing that offenders would face strict sanctions.
“You are to also note that all teams present, must ensure they are handy with their players NIN certificates and passport photos of all to be screened for the tournament,” Mrs Otumala said.
She added: “The decision of Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) with regard to any matter on screening or technical will be deemed compulsory/final. Furthermore, we are appealing to our able coaches that there will be no ‘poaching of players,’ meaning no movement of underage players from teams to teams or state to state and or borrowing of players, as HFN takes these issues as uncompromising and unacceptable. Any coach/proprietors of teams who is found wanting will be severely sanctioned by HFN as a defiance to lawful order.”
The Secretary General further noted that the definitive registration list, including players’ biometric data and NIN information, must reach the HFN secretariat by March 10, 2026, or be submitted at the pre-match meeting on March 24. Late submissions after the meeting will attract penalties.
Winners and runners-up in both categories will earn the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the Partille Cup in Sweden and the Teramo Cup in Italy, giving young athletes international exposure.