President of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) Mr. Samuel Ocheho has expressed delight that Nigeria’s handball star Faruk Yusuf was nominated for the EHF Excellence Awards.
The inaugural EHF Excellence organised by the European Handball Federation for both men and women, will honor the best players in each position and Yusuf, who is a top player for Spanish handball side Fraikin BM Granollers, was nominated in the Men Right back category alongside some of the best players in that position such as Spaniard Alex Dujshebaev, Dainis Kristopans of PSG, France International and Barca great Dika Mem and Mathias Gidsel to mention a few.
The fact that he is the only African nominated in the awards delighted HFN boss Samuel Ocheho, who described the feat as the testament of the growth of Nigeria Handball players in the global scene.
“On behalf of the entire Nigeria Handball Family, I want congratulate Faruk Yusuf for his nomination in the inaugural EHF Excellence Awards” Ocheho said
“I am very happy delighted and I can tell you that the board of the Handball Federation of Nigeria is fulfilled because a Nigerian is nominated for a prestigious international handball award recognized globally. It is worth celebrating.
This shows that Nigeria handball players globally have come of age and will continue to hold their own on the international stage of handball. We have more young players playing in top handball leagues and they are proudly flying the flag of our country in their clubs” Ocheho said.
The voting will commence on May 26, 2023 and it is opened to Coaches, Players, selected media and fans. Fans vote count for 25% in each group and they can vote via the ‘Home of Handball’ app.
Faruk Yusuf has been outstanding this season as he helped Fraikin BM Granollers to get into the semi finals of the second-tier European league, the EHF European League defeating German side SG Flensburg-Handewitt. They will play another top German side Frisch Auf Göppingen in the semi final of the league.
He has previously won the Revelation of the year award in the Spanish Handball League and this is his third nomination this season since joining Fraikin BM Granollers on loan from Polish club KS Vive Kielce.
