Hon. Mark Okpanachi Ogah: The Man With The Panache, And Dexterity to Revitalize Handball in Kogi State
The current Kogi State Handball Association Chairman, Mr. Jibrin Seidu, has been unable to provide the leadership needed to advance handball development in the state. Under his tenure, key areas such as grassroots engagement, youth development, and institutional partnerships have been neglected. Additionally, Mr. Jibrin Seidu has failed to organize or host a national handball tournament in Kogi State—the last time such a tournament was hosted was shortly before he became the chairman of the association. In response, Hon. Mark Okpanachi Ogah is stepping up with a clear vision to transform the association and drive the growth of handball across Kogi State.
Hon. Ogah is committed to providing strategic leadership with a clear focus on developing a robust handball structure that impacts athletes at all levels, from grassroots to professional.
One of his top priorities is engaging the grassroots by identifying and nurturing young talents from all parts of Kogi State. To achieve this, he plans to introduce handball programs in all secondary schools, ensuring early exposure to the sport.
These programs will provide young athletes with access to coaching, competitions, and mentorship, laying the foundation for the future of handball in the state.
Additionally, Hon. Ogah is committed to ensuring that Kogi State’s tertiary institutions, including Kogi State University, Kogi State Polytechnic, and other state-owned institutions, become centers of excellence for handball.
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He plans to establish handball leagues, encourage intercollegiate competitions, and provide the necessary resources for student athletes to thrive. This approach will help bridge the gap between school-level participation and professional handball opportunities.
Understanding the critical role of partnerships, Hon. Ogah will work closely with the Kogi State government, the Ministry of Youths and Sports, and local sponsors to secure the necessary resources to build handball infrastructure in schools and institutions.
His leadership will also focus on promoting handball tournaments at the state level. By tapping into sponsorship opportunities from industries and businesses in Kogi, he aims to ensure sustainable funding for handball programs. His experience in financial management will allow him to allocate resources efficiently, whether upgrading facilities in schools or organizing major tournaments in tertiary institutions.
Hon. Ogah will prioritize regularly organizing competitive handball tournaments, not only at the state level but also within secondary schools and tertiary institutions. His focus will also include reviving national tournaments in Kogi State, changing the narrative left behind by Mr. Seidu’s tenure.
These events will offer young talents the opportunity to showcase their skills and represent Kogi State in higher levels of competition. His leadership style will promote unity among stakeholders in the state, engaging leaders from various local government areas and ensuring fair representation in the development of handball across all regions.
With a deep passion for handball, Hon. Ogah is determined to restore Kogi State’s legacy as a powerhouse in the sport. By nurturing a new generation of players and ensuring that handball is widely played in both secondary schools and tertiary institutions, he will create a continuous pipeline of talent from the grassroots to the professional level.
Through these efforts, Hon. Mark Okpanachi Ogah is poised to revitalize handball in Kogi State, transforming the sport into a thriving and competitive force at both regional and national levels.
