The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Handball Association Glen Flexi George has disclosed to Awoko that the year 2009 was a challenge for the association.
He also stated that also it was a year of successes, achievements, windfalls, disappointments and failures.
He also mentioned that there was a financial constraint in the association that was why they were unable to organized the Western Area Handball Championship in the two years as they were unable to get sponsors.
Glen also stated that the handball clubs are disorganized and they lack funds coupled with poor management
He averred that because of funding, the Regional Association is very weak, and some of them are in complete disarray.
“Even though the association is suffering from financial constraints, we were able to have some successes and achievements last year as 14 Referees and 18 Coaches were certified as trained by the Commonwealth Handball Association”, Glen said.
Also last year, Sierra Leone most outstanding Handball player Teddy Campbell signed a professional contract with the Niger State Handball team.
The National Male U-20 team got their maiden appearance in an international Handball tournament in Bamako, Mali where they returned home with the fair play trophy.
During the competition four coaches and two referees also got diplomas after undergoing advance training courses in coaching and refereeing sponsored by International Handball Federation (IHF)
He also stated that in May last year, there were disappointments and failures as two referees Michael A.P Koroma and Mohamed S Koroma were denied entry visa by the Cameroon immigration as they were supposed to participate in the IHF advance referees courses in Younde, Cameroon
The two referees returned home disappointed, to the detriment of the association as such funds would have been spent clubs and to revive the regional associations.
He also stated that the Female U-20 Youth team also suffered disappointment when the Zone II secretariat postponed the first female Zone II challenge trophy in Conakry, Guinea to a later date.
Glen also stated they were able to receive equipment from the Olympic Solidarity and International Handball Federation (IHF) Development Aid.
He also noted that the equipment running into millions of Leones included Goal Posts, Goal Nets, Balls, Ball Pumps, Track Suits, Team Jerseys and Training Bibs were not sent.
He further stated that they have several competitions lined up for this year. Starting from next month will be the Western Area Handball Championship.
And in March they will participate in the first Youth Male and Female U-17 Commonwealth Games qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal slated for 20th -28th March.
In April they will take part in the annual Zone II U-20 male tournament in Cape Verde Islands with other host s of competitions before the end of the year.
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