Players of the Handball U-18 and U-20 national teams have joined the preparatory camps which have been established in Masiaka, as part of preparations for the Zone 2 men’s youth and junior tournaments of the IHF Trophy Africa slated for Nouakchott, Mauritania from 13 to 17 May 2024.

According to Christopher Femi Cole, the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the Sierra Leone Handball Association (SLHA), the event serves as qualification for the continental phase of the Men’s IHF Trophy Africa.

He said the teams are in preparing for the IHF Zone 2 Handball U-18 and U-20 tournaments in Mauritania so presently they are camped at Masiaka in order to ensure the players do not get distracted ahead of the tournament.

‘We are on high preparation to make sure that we go to Mauritania not only to participate but also to compete and qualify for the continental phase of the Men’s IHF Trophy Africa,’ he said.

Femi Cole highlighted a lot challenges ahead of the tournament ranging from the preparations to the possibility of travelling by road to Mauritania, which he said will affect the players, calling on the government through the Sports Ministry and the NSA to come on board to support them represent Sierra Leone better in Nouakchott.

‘We are expecting the International Handball Federation (IHF) to give us support. Maybe, they will support us with transportation that will only see us go by road which is very challenging for the teams,’ the Handball PRO maintained.

‘We are appealing to the government through the Ministry of Sports and the NSA to support us so that we will travel by air to not only represent Sierra Leone but to also compete and secure qualification for the continental phase of the Men’s IHF Trophy Africa.’

He revealed that they plan to travel with a 30-man delegation which will consist of 23 players for both the U-18 and U-20 teams, and 7 officials.