… tournament to commence July 15, 2024
By Kehinde Osagiede
The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, will be a beehive of sporting and business activities, beginning from Monday July 15, 2024, as the 2024 National Division One Handball Premier League commences in Benin.
The Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) has been in partnership with the Edo State Sports Commission, as the host and sponsor being Edo State Government, has been bankrolling the HFN’s events in the state since 2022.
The Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission, Olympian Yussuf Alli, has assured the Handball Federation of Nigeria and the participating teams of a hitch free and memorable event, while promising participants of an hospitable reception throughout the tournament, as Edo remains the home of culture and hospitality.
According to the Chairman of the Competition Organizing Commission for the Handball Federation of Nigeria, Prof. Emmanuel Akhigbe, participating teams and officials are expected to arrive in Benin City on Sunday July 14th 2024, while the handball league actions begin on Monday, July 15, 2024 and continue till Friday July 19th, at the Multi Purpose Sports Hall of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
The National Division One League is the second tier league wherein the champions and runners up in the male and female categories respectively will gain promotion to play in the top tier Ardova Handball Premier League, 2025.
Teams expected to participate in the 2024 Handball Division One League are those who were relegated in the Ardova Handball Premier League 2023. They include Bendel Dynamos Men team, Bayelsa Queens, Benue Queens, Police Machine Men team and others who are not participating in the Ardova Handball Premier League 2024.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General, Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Mr. Almu Umar Lambu, has expressed HFN’s appreciation to Edo State Government for partnering with the HFN in hosting and sponsoring the National Division One League.
