Benue Buffaloes coach, Godwin Tondo cries that the Handball Club players passed through hardship while representing the state at the first phase of the 2024 Ardova Handball Premier League.
In an exclusive interview with www.aclsports.com, Tondo explained that the players did not have access to proper accommodation, medication, feeding and transportation services.
The ex Benue Buffaloes player called on the State Governor, Hyacinth Iormem to give attention to the only surviving team sports aside from football (Lobi Stars).
Tondo said proper funding should be accrued to other sports in order to give them a sense of belonging in the state.
A bitter Tondo said, “I am writing directly to Governor Hyacinth Iormem because as usual, other sports have been neglected in the state. The Ministry of Youths, Sports and Recreation is becoming a redundant ministry during your regime again.
“Governor Hyacinth Iormem, Benue Buffaloes HC is currently 8th place in the first phase of the 2024 Ardova Handball Premier League after winning four, losing five and drawing two matches.
“As a critical stakeholder, I am pleading for you to rescue these budding talents who have been sacrificing beyond measure to put the name of the state on the sports map of Nigeria.
“For 13 days these young men have refused to be thugs, thieves, armed robbers, drug addicts and yahoo boys. They spilled their blood on the court to create a positive name for the state with bad accommodation, lack of food, poor medication and transportation to the venue of their matches”.
“If other sports in the state are properly funded like Lobi Stars, I strongly believe they will perform better at the National Youth Games and National Sports Festival”, he told www.aclsports.com
Tondo revealed that Benue Buffaloes were self sponsored to the first phase, calling on the Benue State Government to provide financial support to the team ahead of the second phase in order to maintain their status in the Ardova Handball Premier League.
He said, “Governor Hyacinth Iormem, remember that Benue Buffaloes sponsored themselves to the 2024 Ardova Handball Premier League in Edo State. They need the kind gesture of the State Government to survive the top flight handball league this season.”
