Nigeria Cadet playmaker, Hakeem Salami said he had insomnia for three days after Nigeria cadet handball team qualified for the 2019 World Cup scheduled to hold in Macedonia.
He told www.aclsports.com that one of his most memorable days in his life was when he was invited to the national team camp ahead of various assignments last year.
The Lagos Seasiders player said, “The day I heard my name was among those called to the national team I was happy because so many people started the game handball before me and have not called up. I never knew I could travel outside the shores of Nigeria at my age.
“Before I resumed camp last year, I had the determination of making the team to the 2018 Africa Youth Games in Algeria as well as the Africa IHF Trophy in Rwanda and Morocco”.
He further said, “Immediately we beat Algeria and qualified for the Cadet World Cup, I had Insomnia for three days because all odds were against us. That day at Morocco, I and other players were filled with joy that we broke the jinks and Nigeria will make her appearance at the World Cup.
“Nigeria is not going to the World Cup to make up the numbers, we are going to conquer”.
The Yaba born player told www.aclsports.com that the current coach of Nigeria Youth handball team, Shittu Agboola was influential to his rapid development and growth in the game of handball.
Salami said the person who initially introduced him to handball lived in the same compound with his parents at Herbert Macaulay way Yaba, Lagos but Coach Shittu Agboola turned a raw material to a finished material
He said, “Handball is a game I so cherish and the since the day I stepped on the handball court, the passion for the game started.
“The person who introduced me to handball lived in the same compound with my parents but I did not play the game with him. Instead when I visited Rowe Park at a tender age, I saw people playing the game and I developed serious interest.
“I met the current coach of Nigeria Youth team, Shittu Agboola who adopted me as a younger brother, trained me from my childhood and to God be the glory I am now a national player. I featured for Lagos in the U12, 15 and ultimately made my debut at the 2018 Prudent Energy Handball League which means a lot to me”.
