The city of Lagos is officially set to become the epicentre of continental handball, as organisers finalised plans to host the 2026 Tojemarine International Handball Championship.
The championship, from July 16th – 25th is themed, ‘Building Champions, Inspiring Communities‘. The competition is designed to bring together some of the finest handball talents from Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
Handball Federation of Nigeria board member, Cosmos Chukwuemeka, said clubs and handball enthusiasts from across Nigeria and neighbouring countries were expected to participate.
He said the championship, formerly known as the Samuel Ocheho Invitational International Handball Championship, would serve as a celebration of community development through handball.
The tournament will hold at the NIS Indoor Hall of the National Stadium in Surulere and the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos.
Chukwuemeka said the competition aimed to provide a platform for athletes to showcase their talents while promoting youth engagement, teamwork, discipline and the growth of handball in Nigeria.
Also speaking, former President of the Handball Federation of Nigeria and Chief Organiser of the championship, Samuel Ocheho, expressed excitement over the forthcoming tournament.
He said the championship promised to be highly competitive and entertaining, while reaffirming his commitment to sports development and community empowerment through athletics.
“Handball has given many young people opportunities, discipline and direction,” Ocheho said. “This championship is our way of giving back to the sport and creating another platform for talents to grow.”
“We are committed to building champions and inspiring communities through sports. Our goal is to create an environment where athletes can compete, learn and dream bigger.”
The organisers called on sports lovers, stakeholders, corporate organisations and the public to support the initiative, which they described as one of the emerging major handball events in Nigeria.
The championship is expected to feature 10 days of action, talent discovery and entertainment in Lagos.
