OPEIFA CUP Handball Tourney: Two-time champions vows to retain trophy

Archdeacon Adelaja Senior High School, the back to back winners of the annual OPEIFA CUP handball Championships for Lagos State Secondary Schools, have vowed to retain 4th edition’s title.
They won the championships in 2016 and 2017.
The school’s Principal, Olubunmi Onagbeso, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Lagos that the college was battle ready to exhibit their supremacy.
NAN reports that 81 private and public schools are taking part in the ongoing championships sponsored by Kayode Opeifa, a patron of the Lagos State Handball Association.
Onagbeso said that handball was a major sport practiced in the school, adding that the sport was part of its annual inter-house sports, hence, its exploits in the OPEIFA CUP.
She said: “We are the defending champions and winner of the 2016 edition of this laudable championships, our boys are back again to stand tall in the boys category.
“The boys are training daily under the supervision Coach Lucas Honvo, a veteran, and to the best of my knowledge, it’s been the secret behind our outstanding performances.
“Handball has gained ground in our school and we have been doing a lot to support it, including it as part of events in our sports activities.’’
She added that some of the players in the state team were from her school, noting that they were discovered during their participation in previous editions of the championships.
According to her, the players’ performance in the championships has brought honour to the school, while the championships have created an enabling environment to improve on their skills.
The principal applauded Kayode Opeifa, sponsor of the four-year-old championships for sustaining the programme from 2015 to date.
He said that it had aided the development of the game at the grassroots.
NAN reports that the championships which started on May 14 will end on May 18 at Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba.
NAN also reports that the championship was organised in collaboration with the Lagos State Handball Association.