History of Handball Sports in Nigeria
Handball Game was officially initiated in Nigeria by the National Sports Commission (NSC) in the year 1972. The same year, after the establishment of the sports commission, the Handball Association of Nigeria (HAN) was established which later became affiliated to the International Handball Federation (IHF).
The Handball Association of Nigeria is currently known as Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) and it operates under African Handball Confederation as its affiliate.
Nigerian started participating in Handball competitions in the year 1973 as students were selected from different secondary schools across the federation to prepare for the All African Games held in Lagos Nigeria. The game has been popular since 1992 and it's been played in most schools in Nigeria today.
The Nigeria National Handball team is the national team of Nigeria that participates in international handball competitions. The team comprises of men and women who are passionate about growing the sports in the country. The team competed at the 1999 World Men’s Handball Championship placing 23rd in the game.
Nigeria lost track of handball game over the years due to lack of sponsorship and poor management, and its major challenge was getting players who are passionate about the game but today the current administration is working tirelessly to see that the game is revived back in Nigeria and also restore Nigeria to the peak position in Africa.
The Nigeria handball team also participated in the 2018 African Championship held from 17th to 27th January at Gabon and participated also in the International Handball Competition which was held from April 27 to May 6, 2018, in Abuja.
On the 16 April 2018, Nigeria won both in the junior and youth category of the International Africa Trophy Africa which was held in Niamey Niger.
