Sanusi Abubakar, the coach of Sokoto State’s handball team at the just-concluded 7th National Youth Games, Asaba 2023, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, despite facing challenges with some players not meeting the participation requirements.
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He arrived at the games with a squad of 14 players, but only 10 met the eligibility criteria.
This significantly impacted the team’s chances of securing a gold medal, a feat achieved in previous competitions.
“I have attended the National Youth Games since its inception. This marks my 7th appearance at the event. Historically, our handball team consistently returned home with medals.
However, in Abuja, we secured a second-place finish due to my unexpected departure following my father’s passing,” Sanusi shared during an interview with Sports247.
Explaining the reason for their bronze medal win, he continued, “Several factors contributed to this outcome.
The long journey from Sokoto to Delta left our players fatigued upon arrival, and the subsequent screening process posed challenges.
Although I brought a full team within the 13–15-year-old age bracket, some were disqualified for allegedly being over-aged.
This left me with only 10 players for the competition. Despite these setbacks, I am grateful that we reached the semi-finals and secured a bronze medal.”
Even with just 10 players, their performance earned them the bronze medal, a result that Sanusi found satisfying. He expressed gratitude for the team’s performance, emphasizing that they were not returning home empty-handed.
Asked about his plans to ensure his team clinches the gold medal in the next year’s event, he replied, “I have identified my mistakes and will address them. Mistakes are a part of the journey to success. Those who learn from them and minimize errors ultimately succeed. I am focused on rectifying my errors to prepare for next year’s edition.”
Regarding the organization of the tournament, Sanusi remarked, “The competition was well-organized, allowing players to have fun. The event’s primary purpose is for children to learn about their culture, attitudes, and values, from the south to the north and back again. Participants came together to enjoy themselves, exchange ideas, broaden their knowledge, and gain firsthand experience. This exposure is invaluable compared to reading from books.”
During his conversation with the children, he encouraged them to have open minds and embrace new experiences.
He highlighted the differences in culture, emphasizing how they learned that preconceived notions about other regions were often inaccurate.
He cited the positive experiences of youth corps members who served in the North, explaining that their actual experiences contradicted negative stereotypes.
He emphasized the importance of an open mind and noted the contrasting cultures regarding gender interactions in different regions.
