Tojemarine and Safety Babes emerged as champions of the Ardova Handball Premier League 2024, concluding the tournament in style on Sunday at the NIS Gymnasium, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
Tojemarine secured their place at the top of the men’s standings with an impressive 36-33 victory over Sokoto Rima Strikers, finishing with 64 points.
EDITOR’S PICKS
- Electricity Meter Costs Rise Again As Deregulation Takes Effect
- Biden, Harris Set To Congratulate Trump On Presidential Win
- Thousands Of ‘Trained’ Combatants Ready To Fight Israel – Hezbollah Chief
Sokoto Rima Strikers ended second with 59 points. This victory made Tojemarine the first Lagos-based team to win the league since its inception and the first team from Nigeria’s South-West region to claim the title in the open era.
2023 champions Niger United clinched third place with a 38-24 win against Corrections Boys, amassing 58 points, while Safety Shooters missed the podium for the first time since 2019. Sunshine Kings and Confluence Stars faced relegation to the lower division.
In the women’s category, Safety Babes continued their dominance, securing their fourth consecutive championship and fifth overall title with a hard-fought 36-32 win over Defender Babes. Safety Babes finished at the top of the table with 54 points and extended their unbeaten streak to an extraordinary 53 matches since 2022. Defender Babes secured second place, while COAS Babes and Bendel Dynamos were relegated.
Abdulwasiu Sowami, Chairman of Ardova Plc, reiterated the company’s commitment to fostering youth development through sports, celebrating the league’s success and the athletes’ dedication.
“We are deeply committed to initiatives that empower our youth and promote healthy lifestyles. By investing in young people, we are not just nurturing athletes; we are fostering national cohesion and grooming future leaders who will shape a better society,” he said.
FURTHER READING
- Hezbollah Launches 120 Projectiles From Lebanon Into Israel
- Full List of Chief of Army Staff Who Died in Office
- ECOWAS Court Partners ICRC To Domesticate International Humanitarian Law
On his part, the President of the Handball Federation Of Nigeria, Samuel Ocheho, applauded Ardova Plc for partnering with the federation to bring glory to the country.
“This year’s Ardova premier league has been a resounding success. Over the past few weeks, we have witnessed an extraordinary display of talent, discipline, and teamwork,” Ocheho said. “The players and coaches have given their best, delighting us with thrilling matches and unforgettable moments. They have shown us the beauty of the sport and demonstrated that Nigerian handball is alive with immense potential.”
Defender Babes’ Bolanle Abdulrasaq claimed the top scorer’s award with 151 goals
Imo Grasshoppers’ Ohakwe Udochukwu was voted as the most valuable player of the tournament.
Click here to watch our video of the week:
Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:
Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.
Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.
Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611
