Lagos – The Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) says it has set up a four-man committee to investigate the issues that led to the suspension of the coaches and referees association.

The federation’s President, Yusuf Dàuda, explaining the reasons for the suspension, said on Saturday that it was to ensure harmony in the handball family.

The committee was given two weeks to report its findings to the HFN.

NAN reports that the HFN Coaches and Referees Associations were on June 30 suspended by the body due to lingering crises in the associations.

Dauda told NAN that it was only through good working relationship that the body could be successful, hence it would not condone crisis among its technical officials.

“There have been issues in the associations and we realised that they cannot resolve it on their own, so, the board members met and suspended both parties.

“We immediately set up a four-man committee to meet with the associations’ officials, investigate the issues rocking the bodies and come up with their findings within two week.

“Handball is a family and we have an objective to improve athletes skills and generally take the sport to a higher state which requires team spirit to achieve,’’ he said.

The HFN boss gave the names of the committee members as Zana Gaddana, (Chairman), Mark Jacob (Member), Oluwatoyin Aluko (Member) and Adamu Elijah (Secretary).

According to him, the associations will not to take active part in the activities of the body until the committee submits its report to the board of management with recommendations.

He added that the idea was to find a lasting solution, where the environment would be made conducive for passionate officials to work.

NAN reports that the coaches and referees associations as affiliates of the HFN are saddled with the training of athletes and officiating in competitions held in the country.