A Benue born Gold medalist at the just concluded 22nd National Sports Festival NSF, Ogun 24 tagged “Gateway Games”, Dorathy Amene-Nyagh has expressed her readiness to play handball for Team Benue, if she is invited.
Amene-Nyagh who was part of the Team Ogun that won a Gold medal in handball at the Ogun NSF, made her position known to The VoiceSports recently, in Makurdi. She said, “Benue is my home and I will always be available for them if they are ready for me”. I don’t have any issues with them. I started playing this handball with them, they nurtured me and made me what I am today”.
The 2015 graduate of English Language from the Benue State University, Makurdi (BSU) now Rev Fr Moses Orshio Adasu University, said her first appearance for Team Benue in handball was at the Kaduna NSF after which she later left to play for other states because Benue had not been participating in team games.
She said, “I play for other states because in recent times, Benue has not been participating in team sports. The last time that they went for zonal eliminations, Benue State did not participate, so you don’t expect me to sit in one place and wait until when my state is ready before I will also be ready. I am an active player and I need to stay on top of my game and continue to take charge of my game”.
Amene-Nyagh who also won a Gold medal for Team Oyo at the 21st NSF in Asaba, Delta State, shared her experience playing for the Team Ogun. She explained that, “I had mixed experience both good and bad, playing for States. That is, when you promise and fail it then becomes a problem but my joy is that my efforts and that of my teammates in the Gateway Games, were not in vain”.
The national handball player said although, she was delighted that God gifted her a good husband but it was not easy coping with marital issues and sporting activities. And that, “my husband is God’s gift but it is not easy coping with marital issues and sporting activities but I thank God for the kind of husband that He has given me. He is so understanding and supportive.
“When I was a single lady playing, I felt it was going to be a hard one for me when I get married but it has become more interesting for me as a married woman because my husband keeps advising me to know that I have chosen a career which I love with a passion, and that he can’t stop me from it because if he does, he will be seen as selfish and inconsiderate and so he will support me to excel”.
She further said, “I am so grateful to God and will not take this opportunity that my husband has given me for granted because it is not easy to find such a husband who is so gracious and understanding”. Most of my teammates have stopped playing handball against their wish due to marriage which has put them in that condition”.
