Niger United and Safety Babes were crowned champions of the male and female categories of the Ardova Handball Premier League at the weekend.
Niger United, who are the 2018 champion, led the 2023 male category league leadership right from the first phase of the league in Benin City, Edo State.
They held on to the lead to win the second phase of the league, which ended in Lagos on Saturday.
Their match on the final day against second-placed Tojemarine Academy, a dead rubber game, saw the team win 31-26 in the presence of special dignitaries such as the Chairman, Prudent Group, Alhaji Abdulwasiu Sowami and the Ardova PLC team as well as the President of the Bèninoise Handball Federation Mr. Sidikou Karimou amongst others at the NIS Indoor Sports Hall.
Niger United finished with 61 points, Tojemarine Academy placed second with 56 points while Safety Shooters finished third with 53 points following their 25-17 victory over Correction Boys on Saturday.
Kano Pillars, who were the defending champion, defeated Seasider Boys of Lagos 35-32 to finish fourth with 49 points in a season that they will hope to forget in a hurry. They were not on the podium for the first time since the league started in 2018.
Bendel Dynamos were relegated alongside Police Machine in male category after losing 25-20 to De Defenders. A victory for them and a win by Rima Strikers over Benue Buffaloes would have seen the Benin City-based team escape relegation but Benue Buffaloes defeated Rima Strikers and Bendel Dynamos also lost too. Police Machine, who were also relegated, lost to Confluence Stars 35-26.
In the female category, Safety Babes went through the season unbeaten after winning their final match against Rima Queens 39-31 which earned them 53 points as they retained their title and were crowned champion of the Ardova Handball Premier League 2023.
The only other team that went through the season unbeaten was Adorable Angels of Ilorin in the 2020 season.
Defender Babes finished second with 46 points after beating Delta Queens 32-23 while Plateau Peacocks finished on the podium for the first time since 2019 as they finished third on the log with 46 points.
The relegated teams are Bayelsa Queens, who finished 9th with 24 points and Benue Queens last with 23 points.
