Former Nigeria handball player, Maryjane Azubuike revealed to aclsports.com that she featured prominently at the 1996 African Women’s Handball Champions League with her three week old baby.
Abia Valliants finished fourth position at the 1996 African Women’s Handball Champions League held in Cotonou, Benin Republic as Maryjane Azubuike was crowned the Most Valuable Player of the league.
The veteran handball player said after the first half of the group stages, she always attended to her baby whenever he needs her attention.
Azubuike who attended the 1992 Barcelona Olympics said the coaching crew of Abia Valliants had to beg her husband to release her for the Champions League.
She said, “Before I was allowed to represent Abia Valliants at the 1996 African Women’s Handball Champions League, several appeals was made to my husband. He directed them to me whether am fit or not which I really appreciate. Despite delivering my baby, I was still fit because I trained rigorously few days to my delivery”.
“I went to the Champions League in Cotonou, Benin Republic with my three week old baby. Anytime Abia Valliants were on duty, I had a nanny who assisted me during the game.
“During the first half of every game, I breastfed my baby and return to complete the rest of the game. After the competition, we finished fourth position and I emerged the Most Valuable Player”, she said.
The reason why my coach insisted I participated was because my coach believed so much in my capacity in the wing and that is why I took the risk of attending the Champions League with my baby”, she ended.
