Captain of Handball Premier League debutants, Ekiti Queens, Aderonke Adediran, has attributed her team’s poor performance at the ongoing league in Benin City to inexperience.
The Ekiti Queens, who have lost all four of their matches so far at the Sam Ogbemudia Stadium, are taking part in the premier division for the first time. Speaking on Sunday, Adediran said the team is still learning from their more experienced opponents and hopes to pick up wins as the league progresses.
“We have not done so well here because we lack the needed experience to play against the established teams,” she said. “However, we are giving a good account of ourselves and hopefully we will pick some wins along the way.”
Adediran praised the team’s coach, Ayo-Idowu Kayode, for guiding them into the elite division, adding that the experience gained will be valuable in future competitions.
“Our desire is to retain our place in the premier league. It’s a tough task but it is achievable. Our coach is trying and we are here because of the efforts he puts into his job,” she added.
The captain expressed confidence that the team can still secure victories before the end of the first phase of the league. While she acknowledged the quality of other teams, she said their experience has been the major difference.
“I can’t say that other teams are better than us, but they are using their experience to outplay us,” she said.
Adediran also credited the Ekiti State Government for making their participation possible.
“Our state government supported us, that is why we are here. Without the state government’s support, we wouldn’t have made it.
“What we have experienced here in Benin is more advanced than what we have come across in the past. We hope we learn fast so that we will be able to play against the more established teams.”
