Determined to re-invent the wheels and return to it’s past glorious days in Sports, Sokoto State Government has committed to bringing to the country an Olympic medal  in Handball event at the Rio 2016 scheduled to take place in Brazil.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja over the weekend, Sokoto State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Alhaji Faruk Yabo disclosed that the decision was taken by the State Government because of the comparative advantage it has over other states in the area of winning laurels in Handball in the past.

According to him, the State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Wammakko has approved the contract for the renovation of the Sokoto Stadium, “to bring it up to current global standards that can produce world-beaters in many games but with special attention paid to Handball.

“He has also approved the contract for the construction of a new stadium that will be ready and be put to use long before the Olympics year so that we can attract international games and football matches to the state.

“This is the next step taken by the Wammakko administration haven committed to the renovation of major hotels in the metropolis,” the Commissioner stated.

When asked why the choice of Handball, he said, “if you recall, following the nation’s poor performance at the last Olympics, President Goodluck Jonathan challenged every State Government to choose a game to produce a medal at the next games.

“About twenty or thirty years back, Sokoto State has produced sportsmen who have gone out there and brought back trophies internationally in Handball.

“Although we are still going to encourage our youths to participate in other sports, we are going to pay special attention to Handball, build a team and encourage the team with everything within our capacity to make them win a medal at the next games.

“We will aim for gold, but if we miss it by any means, we surely will bring home either the silver or the bronze,” Alhaji Yabo said with optimism.