Leaders of the first stanza of the male and female categories of the 2023 Ardova Handball Premier League, Niger United of Minna, and Safety Babes of Abuja, will return to court tomorrow in Lagos to continue their quest to win the competition.

Indoor Sports Hall of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), National Stadium, Surulere, and the main court of Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, will host the matches of the Phase 11 of the Ardova Handball Premier League.
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A total of 22 teams made up of 10 women teams and 11 men’s teams are in contention for the titles in both categories.

Niger United will lock horns with Correction Boys of Abuja in the men’s opening day match, which throws off at 8.30 a.m., while the women’s defending champions, Safety Babes and Benue Queens will battle on Wednesday morning.

According to the tournament fixtures for the second phase of the league, third placed Rima Queens will take on Bayelsa Queens in the opening game in the women category, as D Defenders play against Confluence Stars of Lokoja.

Other matches for the day are between Kano Pillars and Rima Striker, as well as Bendel Dynamos of Edo State against Lagos Seasiders at 10.00 a.m. in the women’s category.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, technical director of the Handball Federation Nigeria (HFN), Balla Mohammed, said that followers of the game have a lot to enjoy at the tournament.

“Handball in Nigeria has taken a new dimension. There are no underdogs anymore so all the teams must be ready to give their best. We thank Ardova Plc for giving the HFN the opportunity to handball a very serious game in Nigeria.

“For players and clubs thinking that they can wangle their way to the top, it’s not going to business as usual this time,” he said.

Also speaking on the league, HFN President, Samuel Ocheho, urged the teams to play within the rules of the competition and urged players and officials to eschew violence.

Other matches slated for the afternoon of the opening day include the game between Defender Babes and Safety Babes (women) and the match between the host state’s team, Lagos Seasiders and Benue Buffalos in the men’s category; Plateau Peacocks against Imo Grasshoppers of Owerri, as well as Bendel Dynamos against Police Machine, just as Tojemarine will test their might against Safety Shooters.
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