A former international handball player, Michael Akande has said he won’t encourage any of his sons to play handball and represent Nigeria because there is no financial reward in doing so. In this chat with Trust Sports at the recently held Prudent Energy Premier Handball League in Abuja, the Safety Shooters of Abuja player also decried the lack of attention for the game of handball in Nigeria.
Handball is the first contact sport that is on now after the lifting of ban on sports by the government, how happy are you about this?
I am very excited to be playing again after a long while. There is this joy that comes with playing and that is what I feel at the moment. This is my passion, so I am definitely excited about it.
The handball league is on now and what are you looking forward to in the tournament?
Safety Shooters have never won this league since its inception. We either come second or third, but this time around, we mean business and we hope to go beyond the second position, which means we are looking to win the league this time around. You must have watched our performances of late and seen how determined we are to win this league. It won’t be easy but we are capable.
Let’s talk about your time in the national team. Can you tell us how it went for you?
I enjoyed my career in the national team. I played so many matches for Nigeria. I was at the 2008 Nations Cup in Angola. I was also at the 2010 edition in Cairo. I was also at the 2012 edition in Algeria as well as 2015 again in Cairo. I played for Nigeria in the 2018 edition in Gabon. Basically, I participated at five Nations Cup for Nigeria. I started playing for Nigeria in 2007 and called it off last year. Despite the fact that I had decided to take a break, the federation still invited me back but I rejected the call-up. The reason is that I want to give the younger players an opportunity to come up for the national team. If I didn’t leave, they could be discouraged and feel the coaches will always pick me ahead of them. I want them to grow. I have had my time, so it’s natural for me to pave the way for the younger ones to have their own time. If I were a selfish human being who thinks only about himself, I would have gladly accepted the offer not minding the fact that by doing so, I would be frustrating some of the upcoming stars.
Can you give a rundown of the trophies you won for the country?
I won so many trophies for Nigeria right from U-12 to U-15 up to the senior team. To be honest with you, I won’t be able to give you all the details immediately because there are so many. In fact, at the risk of sounding proud, let me say there are too numerous to be counted.
Still on your time with the national team, do you regret donning the Nigeria colours?
I don’t regret playing for Nigeria but I can tell you authoritatively that out of 5 Nations Cup I participated in for Nigeria, I only got paid twice. So, the other three tournaments were like sacrifices for the nation. I don’t want the younger ones to suffer what we went through. It is indeed an unpleasant experience. It goes to show that the game of handball is not given its due attention. However, with this current administration, things are changing that is why we can see Prudent Energy sponsoring the league.
You have spoken about lack of attention for handball. Would you say handball is a popular sport in Nigeria?
In the 90s, handball was very popular among Nigerians before even football, but with the current situation in the country, sponsors don’t want to identify with the game. Almost every corporate organisation wants to sponsor football. Of course, football is the leading sport all over the world but other games also need attention. We thank God for Prudent Energy and the current board for what they have done so far in promoting the game and making it enviable.
Certainly, you will be thinking of finally retiring from the game sooner or later. Do you intend going into coaching or administration?
When I stop playing, I don’t want to go into coaching because there is no money. We are doing it for passion. So it’s better I focus on my public service job in the Federal Road Safety Commission. I will remain on the sidelines, mentoring the younger ones but I won’t go into coaching or administration.
Would you allow any of your kids to play the game if they show interest?
No, no, no, no, based on my personal experience, my son cannot play handball. I don’t want him to suffer what I have suffered but my daughter is playing squash which is better. Apart from football, individual sports are better than team sports in Nigeria.
