The sports hall of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City will come alive Sunday (today) as 22 teams begin hostilities in the Ardova Handball Premier League.
The top tier handball league, which is in its sixth season with a new sponsor, will have 12 male and 10 female teams vying for the top prizes.
In the men’s category, champions Kano Pillars will start their title defence against Rima Strikers of Sokoto, while Lagos Seasiders battle Tojemarine.
Former champions Niger United battle Confluence Stars, with Safety Shooters, champions in 2020, clashing with Benue Buffaloes. De Defenders take on newly promoted Correction Boys, while Bendel Dynamos, who just got promoted to the Premier League, play Police Machine.
In the women’s category, newcomers Delta Force square off against the experienced Imo Grasshoppers, while Rima Queens of Sokoto go head-to-head against Bayelsa Queens.
In other matches, Seasider Babes of Lagos will slug it out with Defender Babes, Bendel Dynamos play former champions Plateau Peacocks, while the final game of the day has champions Safety Babes take on Benue Queens.
President, Handball Federation of Nigeria, Samuel Ocheho, called on the teams to play within the rules of the competition and urged the players and officials to eschew violence.
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