Luanda -Angola Handball Federation (FAAND) needs at least two million US dollars per year to carry out its development program, its chairperson José do Amaral told ANGOP Thursday.
The official, who was coy on the sum the federation receives from the State, said the amount provided each year is much lower than it needs and that it has resorted to sponsorship.
In support of his defense, the leader of Angola's most successful sport in Africa (15 senior women's titles), argued that handball is practiced all over the country and that the number of athletes is increasing.
Amaral explained that in addition to the current 8,000 women and 5,000 men federated players, FAAND aim is to increase the number of handball athletes and that to do so it needs more funding.
"Our annual programme includes domestic and international competitions. It also includes support for the neediest provincial associations, clubs, training for coaches, referees and managers, among other activities," Amaral said.
The former handball player stressed the important factor played by sports, handball in particular, for social integration and improvement of the health of those who play it, having acknowledged that the Angolan state has other priorities, despite that it has contributed a lot to the development of the sector. VAB/MC/AMP
