The management of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) is set to fine the Kano State Government following the absence of the state’s contingent from the 2026 Ardova Handball Premier League.
The 2026 Ardova Handball Premier League, organised by the Handball Federation of Nigeria, is scheduled to run from November 7 to 21, 2026, in Lagos State. The competition features 12 teams in the men’s category and 10 teams in the women’s category.
Reports indicate that former champions Kano Pillars Handball Club failed to participate in the tournament, which commenced on November 7, due to a lack of funding from the Kano State Government to sponsor the team’s participation.
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Credible sources disclosed that the state government had yet to release the funds required for the team’s participation, raising concerns over its commitment to the development of sports in the state.
The Kano State Sports Commission operates under the state government, with its administrative affairs overseen through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. However, reports suggest that the commission has repeatedly faced difficulties in securing the necessary approvals to carry out its responsibilities.
Kano Pillars Handball Club is one of Nigeria’s most successful handball teams, having previously won the Nigerian Men’s Handball Premier League in 2019 at the Rowe Park Sports Centre in Lagos.
The club also emerged champions in 2021 after winning nine of its 11 matches. In 2022, it successfully defended its title, finishing the campaign unbeaten with 65 points from 22 matches.
These achievements underline Kano Pillars’ status as one of the country’s leading handball clubs.
However, the alleged failure of the Kano State Government to release the necessary funds has prevented the team from participating in the ongoing competition in Lagos.
In a related development, an exclusive report published this week indicated that Kano Pillars could be heading for another major setback, as Technical Adviser Daniel Ogunmodede is reportedly considering leaving the club over financial challenges and poor welfare conditions.
Sources also disclosed that the Kano State Government had not released any funds to the team.
Efforts to obtain comments from relevant government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, the Sports Commission and the Governor’s spokesperson, were unsuccessful, as they could not be reached at the time of filing this report.
The situation raises serious questions among sports stakeholders and Kano sports enthusiasts about the government’s commitment to supporting and sustaining sporting activities in the state.
Meanwhile, the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory are preparing for the 23rd National Sports Festival, officially tagged the Coal City Games, scheduled to take place in Enugu State from November 27 to December 11, 2026.
With the National Sports Festival approaching, concerns remain over whether the Kano State Government will address the funding challenges facing its sports sector to avoid another disappointing absence from an important national sporting event.
The big question remains: How long will Kano’s sporting activities continue to suffer from inadequate government support? Time will tell.