…Work To Be Completed On March 16

By Amaechi Agbo

The Board of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Handball Association, have began renovation of the FCT Handball Court situated at the Area 10 Old Parade Ground, Garki Abuja.

The renovation work which has a 21-day contractual timeline started on Wednesday, February 23 and will conclude on Wednesday, March 16, 2022.

Speaking on why the FCT Handball Association embarked on the renovation of the court, the chairman of the board, Ambassador Dr Edward Olutoke said it was part of several initiatives of the board in their quest to reposition handball in the Federal Capital.

“As a board, we have several things for us to do. The priority for us is the players. If the players are not happy, there is no association. The players are our major resources for us. We need to take care of them whether they are winning or not and the only way they can be happy in life is to have regular competitions.

“If they train, they can compete at any level. We are paying premium attention to that. This board is serious.

“By God’s grace this time next month, the Handball court at Area 10 Old Paraded Ground would have been redesgined and remoulded,” he said.

In an exclusive interview with FCT Handball Association Media Crew, the Engineer in charge of the work, Engr Masu Danjuma of Masallem Engineering Company Limited, said the contract is for flooring and marking of the court.

“It is renovation of the floor. Only the flooring is what we are doing now which is expected to be concluded within 21 days.

“For now, what we are doing is the flooring and marking of the court. That is the important thing that we have agreed to undertake now.

“We had discussion with the chairman who is going to discuss with the Sports Council to see if we can also carry on with the gallery. It will be odd to just do the floor without taking care of the other sides of the court.

“If they have understanding on our suggestion to them, the work will commence without delay, ” he said

While giving assurance that the work would be delivered on schedule, Engr Danjuma added that the entire facility needed a face-lift.

“Also, the court environment is not conducive for a team to have reasonable training there. Since the FCT Handball Association chairman is willing to do the needful, Sports Council should also be willing to see how he can execute a good turn around of the facility.

“By God’s grace we will deliver on the 21-day contractual timeline. There is no doubt about it.”