Sports

Handball federation president announces plans of detecting promising talents.

Abba Oumate: FECAHAND President

The President of the Cameroon Handball Federation, FECAHAND, Abba Oumate, has emphasised the importance of discovering and nurturing young talents as the country looks to strengthen its handball programmes.
He was speaking in a recent interview during which he highlighted initiatives aimed at identifying promising players across the nation.

According to Oumate, talent detection is the federation’s primary focus.

“The detection of players on the field is our priority. We need to train coaches effectively, provide proper equipment, and develop playing areas suitable for young athletes,” he said.

He outlined plans to work closely with schools and colleges, ensuring that young players can combine their academic studies with athletic training.

Oumate further revealed that regional and divisional leagues are expected to act as central hubs for identifying promising athletes. At the same time, the FECAHAND boss urged greater support from government bodies, sponsors, and partners to finance these initiatives.

According to the president, the federation has made school-based handball a priority, creating a pathway for youth to progress to club and national levels.

He said under the Havoba project, funded by the French Development Agency, instructors have received specialised training to work with young players.

President Oumate confirmed that further collaborations with education and sports authorities, as well as with other federations, are planned to strengthen the youth pipeline.

“The nursery exists, and it must absolutely be discovered, supervised, and trained according to international standards,” he stressed.

He added that the Cameroon Cup final at the Mfandena Gymnasium in Yaounde provided an opportunity to observe emerging talent.

Oumate noted that while FAP secured victories in both the men’s and women’s categories, young players from other clubs demonstrated potential for future success.

“The young players showed great promise and competitive spirit. Officials and coaches monitored performances closely, recording names of standout athletes for future follow-up and integration into development programmes,” he said.

Looking ahead, the president revealed that preparations are underway for national play-offs.

He explained that the event will determine national champions while offering another platform to assess players for international competitions later in the year.

“With young athletes and clubs spread across the country, the future of Cameroonian handball is promising,” Oumate said.

He has reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to structured talent identification and development.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3552 of Tuesday September 02, 2025