Stars of Asha (SOA), a handball club in Ho, Volta Region, dominated and finally won the maiden edition of the one-day Handball Gala on Saturday, October 28, 2017.
The Gala, which was played at the Ho Sports Stadium, saw 2 female teams and 3 male teams compete.
Stars of Asha male team, managed by Ben Kwaku, begun on a bright note and defeated Ho Technical University 24-21.
The match exhibited class, technique, style, physic and tactics, as it was the first game of the day.
The female side of SOA then took over the court with brilliant display and wonderful goal scoring styles against Mawuko Girls, and eventually winning 24-17. Mawuko Girls, who were seen as amateur due to their size, surprised many for their resilience, as fatigue disadvantaged them.
They were then motivated with an amount of GH₵200.00 by former National Handball player, Patrick Norvor, who was thrilled with their performance.
The third game of the day saw Prosco losing 16-35 to HTU in the male category.
SOA played again with Mawuko Girls and had to trail the latter till the last two minutes of the game to win it 17-15.
Mawuko proved to everybody present including Patrick Norvor, that they are up to the task as they frustrated Stars of Asha. Sam Clothilda, goalkeeper of Mawuko who saved her team on several occasions in the game, including penalties, received GH₵50.00 from Mr. Norvor.
The last game between Prosco and SOA males ended 17-36, with Prosco fighting till the last minute.
SOA, therefore, came first in both male and female with 4 points. HTU were runners-up in the male category with 2 points, while Prosco left with no point. Mawuko Girls also placed 2nd with no point.
Patrick Norvor, who heard about the Gala and the league a week ago when he visited Ho and promised balls, fulfilled it and donated 2 female balls and 4 male balls. The former Black hands captain from 1982-1986 also promised 4 trophies and goal posts to the Association for the league at the closing.
In an exclusive interview with TalksenseSports, the all sports man says with time he will add 2 more trophies which will be for the best female and best player of the league. He believes his passion for all sports but love for handball has pushed him to support this course.
“I had the info on the Gala and league last Saturday and promised the four male balls and 2 female balls because of the love I have for the game. With the goalpost and trophy, I will surely have it come. I promised to give 4 trophies, 2 for the league, male and female and 2 for best player and goalkeeper. What I didn’t make clear is that, the best player and goalkeeper is the male. But I think with time, I may have to balance it and I am sure I can fulfill it.”
Regional Chairman of the Handball Association, Togbe Palmas Howusu, told TalksenseSports, that they hope to see more clubs turn up for the league which begins on November 4, 2017 at the Ho Sports Stadium.
He, however, believes the level of competition was very high and expects better performances during the league, which will have 1 match per week for each category.
“It was quite successful despite the few number of teams that turned up. The level of competition is quite high, I am expecting a very good performance as the league take off. We are expecting 7 teams in for the men and about 5 for the ladies. We are planning to have 1 male, 1 female matches per week. We want them to enjoy the matches, so we give them full time play.”
Fixtures of the league will come out this week, as soon as clubs who have shown interest registers their teams. Every team pays GH₵100.00 to register for the league. A club with both a female teams will therefore pay GH₵100.00
Meanwhile, the national Handball Association has donated 6 balls to the Regional Association.
The Association has secured Tobinco Pharmaceuticals as sponsors and look forward for more.
Story: Davis Attuquaye Clottey
