Nigeria senior men’s handball player, Jacob Ayuba told www.aclsports.com that the COVID-19 pandemic delayed Kano Pillars from defending their title.
Ayuba’s club side Kano Pillars won the 2019 Prudent Energy Handball League.
The former Al Ansaar of Saudi Arabia player said that he is ready for the 2020 Prudent Energy Handball League whenever it resumes.
He said, “You all know that Kano Pillars is the biggest handball club in Nigeria. The COVID-19 pandemic came at the right time for some clubs because we were ready to defend our title. The 2020 prudent energy handball league is staying in Kano and will not leave the ancient city soon.
“Anytime the 2020 handball season resumes after the COVID-19 pandemic, we are ready to take on any team”.
The former Borno Spiders player said despite the lockdown, he is training hard and keeping fit in case the lockdown on social gathering is reduced to the barest minimum.
He said, “Life without handball for the past three months has been boring; it is not easy because my teammates will have to start all over when the lockdown is eased.
“Not playing the first phase of the league due to COVID-19 is disappointing and heartbreaking but health first before the game”.
Ahead of the 2020 National Sports Festival (NSF) in Edo state, Ayuba said, “Plans are on ground and we will take every game as they come with strategies and we will avoid losing unnecessary points.
Ayuba said Kano Pillars can perform well at the African Club Championship if they are sponsored by Kano State Government.
He said, “Our dream is to return Kano Pillars to where it belongs on the map of Africa. If we are given the opportunity to represent the state at the African Club Championship and get sponsorship by the state government, we will not disappoint Nigerians”.
Jacob Ayuba has played for Borno Spiders (Childhood to 2006), Kano Pillars (2007-2009) Al Arabic of Qatar (2010-2014), Al Ahli Benghazi (2014-2015), Al Ansaar of Saudi Arabia (2015-2016), Maccabi Rehovolt (2017) and Kano Pillars (2017 till date).
