Yusuf Abdulkadir has been appointed Head Coach of Nigeria U18 female team by the Handball Federation of Nigeria. The Head coach Plateau Peacock will be assisted by Esther Lambert ahead of the IHF Challenge Trophy billed for Niamey, Niger Republic from 25th February to 3rd March, 2019.
Abdulkadir told www.aclsports.com that he is hunger for success, calling for total support from stakeholders in handball.
The former Plateau Vipers player promised to build a formidable team which will make impact in the various cadet championships.
He said, “All gratitude to Almighty God because in every profession, people aspire to get to the top and this is a very good start for me; God has also been answering my prayers.
“Last year was a very good season for myself, my club side (Plateau Peacocks) and the technical crew, we performed excellently well. Plateau Peacocks won the Prudent Energy Handball League and we placed second at the 19th edition of the National Sports Festival held in Abuja last December”.
Abdulkadir said, “So you see with a lot of hard work, one will say the opportunity to handle the female cadet team came my way. I am praying to God to pilot my ways as I resume duties with the girls; I am hungry for success and want to succeed in this assignment given to me by the handball federation.
“The first time on my mind is to meet with the players, bring them together to achieve the goal of developing handball, qualify for the World Cup and perform excellently well”.
He promised to put in places structures that will discover, nurture and produce players who will graduate from the cadet team to junior and senior teams.
The National Sports Festival gold medallist said, “Coming on board as the head coach, I will build on the existing structure laid on ground my predecessor adding my little professionalism because Nigeria possesses very good coaches and technical crews.
“This new assignment calls for patience because the players are young. My target upon resumption is to see how i will groom the players and prepare their mind ahead of African and International championships and make them believe they can conquer the world”.
He further said, “Another thing is putting a structure in place where players graduate from the under 18 to under 21 and finally the National senior teams as it is done in advanced countries; even if tomorrow I leave the job, the legacy will be on ground”.
Abdulkadir said the job will be taken seriously and Nigeria handball family should expect turn around.
“My message to handball family is that I will not let them down, this is a big task and I have to take the bull by the horn. I only needed a shot and I have gotten it already; in life, if you are given a slight opportunity, you must put the whole of your life on the line for it. I want to do this job like there is no other job on ground and I am pray to God to take Nigeria handball to the next level”, he ended.
