Although gasping for breath in the ongoing Prudent Energy Handball League, the captain of Benue Queens, Dorathy Nyagh is confident her team won’t be relegated from the premier league. In this interview with Trust Sports, the national team player spoke on her blossoming career and what she is doing to keep her club in the top flight.
When and how did you start playing handball?
I started playing handball in my Junior Secondary School, (JSS) three days in 2005 in Queen of the Rosary Secondary School Gboko. The coach in charge of basketball needed me, but I was more interested in handball. However, once in a while, I represented the school in other sporting events during all Secondary School Games. My handball coach then, Mr Godwin Tondo popularly called ‘Gordons’ played a key role in my decision to play handball. He made me like the game and to believe in myself.
You are a graduate of English language from Benue State University. How were you able to combine education with handball?
I went to the Benue State University in 2009 and emerged the captain of the institution during my time. It wasn’t so easy, but when you have a passion for something, you make sacrifices. It was very challenging, but I never got distracted. When it was time for academics, I gave my best and when it was time for handball, I did the same. I allocated time for studies and time for sports. By the grace of God, I successfully juggled both.
How much support did you receive from your parents?
Although I am the only girl of four children, my parents saw my passion for the sport and gave me all the necessary support to pursue my dreams. My father is also a sportsman. He lectures in the department of human kinetics at the State College of Education in Katsina- Ala. Of course, I was not lagging behind in academics, so I got all the support I needed to play professional handball.
When did you start playing for the national handball team?
I was invited to my first trials in July 2018 after the maiden edition of the Prudent Energy Handball League. I played for Civil Defence on loan from Benue Queens. Fortunately, I was invited to camp again when it was time for All Africa Games qualifiers. After we qualified, I was again invited to the games proper. In Morocco, I played in almost all the matches and gave a good account of myself.
Would you say getting a shirt in the national team was a stroll in the park for you?
No, it wasn’t. You see, playing against more experienced players is never easy. However, in anything I want to do, I always do it with confidence and courage. When you don’t have courage, you won’t be able to do anything. Even if I am making any mistake, it is better I do it with confidence and courage. So when I was invited, I felt it was my time to be in the senior national team. So I gave it my best shot and today, I am proud to represent my beloved country Nigeria. This is not to say it was easy to scale the hurdles.
How happy are you with your achievements, especially playing for your country?
I am super excited. It is the dream of every talented athlete to represent their country. So flying Nigeria’s flag at that level brought special feelings. You know most people dream to reach such heights, but it is not every one that succeeds. So I am excited and more importantly, I am grateful to God and those who have continued to encourage me. Once again, I want to pay special tribute to my Secondary School coach, Godwin Tondo who did everything to instill the passion and confidence in me. I don’t joke with him. He is a father figure. He is not just a coach, but a friend and mentor.
Considering your profile, why are you playing for a ‘small club’ like Benue queens?
There is no place like home. After playing in state competitions as a teenager, I was selected to represent Benue State in the 2008 National Sports festival, ‘KADA Games’ in Kaduna. Although we were eliminated at the Semi-finals stage, when we returned home, some of us were employed to work in the State Sports Council. So I am playing for Benue Queens as a staff member of the State Sports Council.
How satisfied are you with the performance of your team in the ongoing handball league in Abuja?
I can’t say I am completely satisfied because we have the potential to do better. However, I am happy with the fighting spirit and maturity shown by my team mates who are mostly amateur players. Handball is a team sport so it is not about one player. As the captain and the only national team player, it is my responsibility to motivate my teammates. And I am willing to shoulder this responsibility.
Considering your team’s lacklustre performance in the ongoing league, how confident are you that Benue Queens will survive relegation?
It is not going to be easy, but my desire and expectation is to help Benue queens to stay in the league. It does not matter, if we do not finish among the top three clubs. The most important thing is to remain in the league. I am confident that with hard work and determination, we won’t be relegated at the end of the competition. If we stay up, we would go back to the drawing board and come back stronger next season.
How much support is the team enjoying from the Benue State government?
It is possible there are good plans for us, but for now, we are yet to get the necessary support from our state government. It will interest you to know that our participation in this year’s Prudent Energy Handball League is being powered by public spirited individuals. They are too many to mention here, but they know themselves and we are grateful to them. Benue indigenes in Abuja have been of immense assistance and we appreciate each and every one of them.
