In a remarkable gesture of sporting solidarity, French handball champion Pauletta Foppa has pledged her support to the development of Nigerian handball, promising to use her influence, experience, and network to uplift the game in the West African nation. Foppa, widely regarded as one of the brightest stars in international women’s handball, made the vow during a recent press briefing in Paris, where she spoke passionately about her desire to give back to the sport that shaped her life.
At just 23 years old, Foppa has already etched her name in the history books. The pivot for Brest Bretagne Handball and the French national team has won numerous titles, including Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020 and a European Championship medal. Her powerful performances, commanding presence in defense, and sharp eye for goals have made her an icon, not only in France but across the global handball community.
Yet beyond her exploits on the court, Foppa has always spoken about the importance of making handball more inclusive and accessible. Her vow to support Nigerian handball is her latest step in that mission. Speaking to reporters, Foppa highlighted the immense, often untapped, sporting talent in Africa and specifically Nigeria, which has shown sparks of potential but still struggles with limited funding, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of international exposure.
“It’s time for us, who have benefited so much from this sport, to create pathways for others,” Foppa said. “Nigeria has so many gifted young athletes who only need an opportunity, some resources, and a bit of support to flourish. I want to be part of that story.”
According to sources close to the French star, Foppa’s plans are more than just words. She intends to launch a foundation aimed at promoting grassroots handball development in Africa, with Nigeria as its pilot focus. The initiative is expected to provide equipment, coaching clinics, and training opportunities for young players and local coaches. Furthermore, Foppa plans to organize exchange programs that could see promising Nigerian talents visit France for exposure tours and training camps with European clubs.
The Nigerian Handball Federation (NHF) has welcomed Foppa’s commitment with open arms. Speaking after the announcement, NHF President Samuel Ocheho described it as a “historic moment” for the sport in Nigeria.
“Foppa’s interest in our handball development shows that our efforts are being noticed on the global stage,” Ocheho said. “She is an inspiration for many young girls, and her involvement will give us fresh momentum to push for more investment in our players and our leagues.”
For many Nigerian handball players, especially the women’s national team known as the ‘Prudent Ladies’, Foppa’s promise comes as a huge morale boost. Despite occasional impressive performances on the continental scene, Nigerian handball has struggled to break into the top tier internationally. Financial constraints, poor facilities, and lack of competitive exposure have continued to hamper progress, leaving many talented players without the support they need to reach their full potential.
Coach Rafiu Salami, who manages one of Nigeria’s leading women’s handball clubs, said the move could be transformative. “Sometimes our biggest challenge is showing our players what’s possible,” Salami said. “Seeing someone like Pauletta Foppa believe in them will spark dreams and, hopefully, attract more resources and partnerships.”
Foppa is not new to championing causes beyond the court. She has previously spoken out on issues of diversity, inclusion, and the need for better representation in European sports. Her own journey — born to Congolese parents in France — has made her deeply aware of the barriers that many African athletes face.
In the coming months, Foppa plans to visit Nigeria for the first time to meet players, coaches, and federation officials. She hopes the trip will help her better understand the local challenges and shape the foundation’s programs to fit Nigeria’s unique realities.
For young Nigerian handball players like 18-year-old Blessing Etim, who dreams of playing in Europe, Foppa’s vow feels like a light at the end of the tunnel. “We watch her highlights on YouTube. She’s our role model,” Etim said. “To know that she cares about us and wants to help us means everything.”
As the global handball community applauds Foppa’s pledge, the hope is that her commitment will inspire other stars and stakeholders to invest in Africa’s growing handball potential. With the right support, experts believe Nigeria could become a dominant force in African handball and even make waves on the world stage.
If Pauletta Foppa’s vision takes root, Nigerian handball might soon have its own homegrown champions inspiring the next generation — proving once again that the power of sport transcends borders and builds bridges where they are needed most.
