National handball referee, Ibrahim Emiabata-Lawal has promised to be fair while officiating at the second phase of the 2019 Prudent Energy Handball League in Lagos.
Emiabata-Lawal told www.aclsports.com that he and his pair did not face any challenges while officiating at the first phase in Abuja adding that the most difficult match in the first leg was between Kano Pillars and Safety Shooters.
Emiabata-Lawal said, “I am going to be fair while officiating at the Premier League. As a national referee, you have to be ready for call at any given time to come officiate. So I and my pair are fully prepared for the league.
“I know the matches are going to tough because each teams will want to get maximum points but I and my pair will keep our cool”.
“During the first phase in Abuja, there was no challenge. I approach games just as it comes but the game between Kano Pillars and Safety Shooters was very tough I must confess”, he added.
He revealed that the National camping before the African Games proper enlightened him to the slight changes in the rules.
Emiabata-Lawal said, “Nigerians should expect better officiating because when the players were in camp before the African Games in Morocco, I had the opportunity to visit the camp and got enlightened on the slight changes in the rules”.
The Lagos based referee told www.aclsports.com that in a bid to boarding his horizon, he opt to watching clips from the recently concluded World junior Championship.
He said, “I have been working on my officiating, watching handball videos match and also watched the just concluded World Junior handball championship, so as to improve on my carrier. My main aim is to become a CAHB and IHF badge referee.
“My prayer is that Almighty Allah give the President of Handball Federation of Nigeria, Sam Ocheho the power and resources in order for him to bring officiating course down to Nigeria”, he added.
