We Are Blind To Religion, Tribe –Handball Coach Battles Criticism

Nigeria’s handball coach under pressure to justify his Sweden-bound team list has declared that sports is blind to religion and tribe.

He is Coach Olajide Ojomu, ex-professional handball player, who is currently leading the Under-12 Boys and Girls Handball teams heading for the prestigious 2023 Partille Cup, Guthenburg, in Sweden.

Justifying his stance of sports being blind to religion and tribe, he picked the ambassadors, neither considering tribe nor religion but talent.

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Ojomu who rose up to these defences while speaking during a press conference.

The Eagle reports that favouritism has usually been a problem afflicting Nigerian sports at different levels, with some analysts asserting that it had usually led to disappointing outcomes in a country highly populated and blessed with abundant talents.

But Ojomu, a thorough professional, responding to this, said the choice of the Nigerian lads was merit-based.

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“We have heard whispered concerns that our teams are made up of players from one particular faith and none from Kwara.

“This is not true. We have players from Omu-Aran, we picked talented players from Ilorin, here. Where talent is involved, we are blind to sentiments.

“If you accuse us of any bias, kindly show us a raw talent anywhere and we will go pick him or her up without wasting time whether he is Christian, Muslim or any other religion,” he said.

Ojomu who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of C&S-Pishon Sports Academy is US based former handball player and is expected to leave the shores of Nigeria tomorrow with the team.

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This follows their emerging victorious at the national championship in the Under 12 and Under 15 boys and girls categories in Sokoto for Kwara State.

Providing a background on First Pishon, he said: “We are into manufacturing sports equipment like balls.

“What we have is the latest in ball technology and we stand to be challenged on this”.

“And I would be surprised if the ball falls below their standard given what we put into making the ball”.