Nigeria Left Out As Africa Launches Beach Handball Championship
NIGERIA’S men’s and women’s beach handball teams will not participate in the inaugural African Beach Handball Nations Championship, a development that has drawn attention across the continental handball community.
The competition, scheduled to take place in Lomé, Togo, from 24 to 27 April 2026, will mark the first edition of the tournament and is expected to serve as a major milestone for the growth of beach handball in Africa. However, Nigeria’s absence means one of the continent’s most populous sporting nations will not feature in the historic event.
The men’s category will include host nation Togo, Benin Republic, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, Tunisia, and Mali. In the women’s division, Togo will compete alongside Kenya, Mali, and Benin Republic.
Nigeria’s omission has been described as unexpected, particularly given the country’s recent efforts to expand its presence in handball development and youth competitions. The absence raises questions about preparation, funding, and participation pathways for emerging sports disciplines within the country.
The championship is designed to promote beach handball across Africa, offering participating nations a platform to gain international exposure and competitive experience in a growing sport.
Organizers believe the tournament will lay the foundation for future editions and strengthen regional cooperation in handball development. Meanwhile, competing teams will be aiming to make history by becoming the first-ever African beach handball champions.
