Ibadan Grammar School, Ibadan, emerged overall champions of the maiden Late Babatunde Olusegun Ojuola Oyo–Osun Inter-State Under-12 Handball Championship after an impressive unbeaten run, as the competition concluded on Friday, February 6, 2026, at the Lekan Salami Stadium Handball Court, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
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Ilora Baptist Grammar School, Oyo, finished as runners-up, while Christ African Church Grammar School, Osogbo, claimed third place. Ilesa Grammar School rounded off the standings in fourth position, following an intensely competitive round-robin series that highlighted the growing depth of grassroots handball talent across Oyo and Osun States.
The championship, staged in honour of the late Babatunde Olusegun Ojuola, attracted wide praise from sports administrators and stakeholders, who described the event as a significant boost for youth sports development and handball growth in the Southwest.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the General Manager of the Osun State Sports Council, Mr. Ademola Daini, commended the sponsor, Bolaji Ojuola, for investing in grassroots sports, describing the championship as a template for sustainable development.
He urged former Nigerian international athletes and well-meaning individuals to emulate the initiative, while also calling on governments at all levels to extend support beyond football to other sports such as handball.
Host and General Manager of the Oyo State Sports Council, Mr. Tunde Ajibike, echoed similar sentiments, praising the vision behind the tournament and expressing optimism that the championship would grow into a larger and more impactful competition in future editions.
Also lending his voice, the Southwest Zonal Representative on the Board of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Hon. Gbenga Adewusi Arole, applauded the sponsor for successfully organizing a competition of notable scale and developmental value.
“Like Oliver Twist, we will always ask for more,” Hon. Arole said, expressing pride that such a landmark grassroots championship was hosted within the Southwest Zone.
He revealed that preparations are already underway for a major Southwest zonal handball championship, which he described as massive and imminent.
In his closing remarks, sponsor Mobolaji Ojuola expressed heartfelt gratitude to participants, officials, and guests for honouring the memory of his late father through their support and presence.
“I never imagined it would be this big or that so many people would honour our invitation,” he said. “My father loved handball, and I also played the game. I did not want his legacy to die.
This championship is our way of giving back to handball and ensuring that his legacy lives on.”
The successful staging of the championship not only honoured a legacy but also reinforced the importance of early talent identification and structured competition in building the future of Nigerian handball.
