It was joyful celebrations and high spirits radiating the camp of the Plateau State Handball Team, The Peacocks, as they departed the Rwang Pam Township Stadium,Jos via Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to represent Nigeria in the Africa Club Champions in Morocco after always missing out on every events they’ve qualified for since the year 2000 due to lack of funds!
A visibly happy and confident new Commissioner For Youth And Sports Development, Plateau State, Hon. Noel Nkup thanked the Executive Governor of Plateau State and charged the girls on the way forward as they represent the Country in far away Morocco: “There’s time for everything in life and there’s no better time than now. God in His infinity has given the State a Governor with a good heart, a Governor with human feelings and a Governor that’s ready to work for his people. And one of the areas he’s so keen about is the aspect of Youths and Sports development. After missing out from previous continental tournaments having qualified but could not go due to what former governments tagged ‘lacj of funds, His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang gave speedy approval for the that will enable them to travel to represent the Country in Morocco. And for that, it’s a thing of joy and I wish them a gracious outing. And like I told them, “To whom much is given, much is expected”. If they want to be having this privilege of traveling out and representing the country like this, they should put in their best. And am assuring you, going by the looks on the faces of these girls, we are not going to return empty handed. We will bring back the trophy.”
On his own part, the Plateau State Director of Sports, Professor Ezra Gunen reiterates: “I’m so happy that God is helping us through His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang to have the opportunity to attend continental and international competitions, this time around in Handball. It’s not any magic from anywhere, it’s His Excellency and the focus of his program towards Sports. So for me, the team has been working hard and we all expect them to go out there to represent Plateau State and indeed the only club going out there to compete for Nigeria.”
A visibly fulfilled and hopeful Head Coach, Handball Association, Plateau State, Yakubu Tonga Wuyep says: “We want to thank the Almighty for this opportunity and also His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang. After missing out from this continental outing after qualifying on two occasions since the year 2000, we thank His Excellency for not making the efforts and the sweats of these girls to qualify go in vain. And by the grace of God we will not disappoint.”
The Captain of the Plateau State Women Handball Team, Plangnan Oliver, couldn’t hold back her joy: “Indeed we count it a privilege embarking on this journey. And e really appreciate the able and capable Governor of Plateau State for sponsoring us to this event and honestly we want to assure the people of Plateau State that we are not going to disappoint them. We are going to come back home victorious and celebrating.”
The Plateau State Women Handball Team, Plateau Peacocks, the only Nigerian team in this year’s championship that includes both male and female will confront teams like Petro Atl of Angola, Andre Nziko of Cameroon, and US Mouassar of Morocco in Group C.
Plateau Peacocks of Nigeria will play their first game against Petro Atletico of Angola on Friday, 11th of October, 2024 by 5pm.
Here are other teams in other groups:
In Group A:
Primero of Angola
FAP of Cameroon
Abidjan HB of Cote d’Ivoire
ASFS of Tunisia
Group B:
Al Ahly of Egypt
Flowers of Benin Republic
AS Otoho of Congo.
