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Former Nigerian national team handball captain, George Adeyemi also known as Osawe has alleged of unfair dealings, external interference which threaten the outcome of the September 27,2025 zonal election at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan.
Osawe alleged that the forthcoming Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) elections, particularly the Southwest Zonal Representative election scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2025, are already shrouded in controversy.
He stated that constitutional violations, lack of transparency, and external interference are threatening the credibility of the process and casting doubt on the future of handball in Nigeria, noting that at the center of the storm is a former Chairman of the Oyo State Sports Council.
He revealed that the former chairman has been attempting to wield political influence over electorates, using his connections with a former president and an incumbent servicing Deputy Governor in one of the states in the zone.
Osawe stated that political thugs have reportedly threatened coaches and athletes in Oyo State.
“In fact, the former chairman’s strained relationship with the Oyo State Handball Association has led to the suspension of its constitution at a time, due to his alleged excesses.”
Osawe posited.
The former international said that there are concerns over his financial capacity and genuine commitment to the growth of the sport in the region, stressing that that clearing a candidate without proven capacity, background, or grassroots contribution will not only damage the integrity of the elections but also stunt the growth of handball in the Southwest.
He therefore urged the National Sports Commission and the HFN leadership to take urgent corrective action pointing out that allowing irregularities, political interference, and intimidation to define this process would be a dangerous precedent—one that undermines democratic standards and risks eroding public confidence in sports governance.
