The National Division One League 2024 is set to begin in Benin City, as over twenty teams will converge at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium from Sunday to participate in the second-tier handball league.
The National Division One League, proudly sponsored by the Edo State government alongside the Handball Federation of Nigeria, is the second-tier league in which four teams from the men's and women's categories will gain promotion to the Ardova Handball Premier League 2025.
All the teams are expected to arrive in Benin City, Edo State, on Sunday, July 14th, 2024, and will participate in the technical meeting where the draws for the league will be done.
Matches will then commence on Monday, July 15th, through to the 19th, where two teams each from the men's and women's categories will qualify for the top-tier Ardova Handball Premier League. They will then depart Benin City on the 20th of July, 2024.
Some of the teams include but are not limited to COAS Shooters, Bendel Dynamos, Police Machine, Bayelsa Boys, and Arise Handball Club in the men's category; and Osun Babes, Mindscope Academy, Coal City Babes, Benue Queens, and Police Machine in the women's category.
The Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission and former athletic legend, Yussuf Ali, has assured the Handball Federation of Nigeria and the participating teams of a hitch-free championship.
He further stated that the Edo State Government is dedicated to continuing the growth of sports, which has attracted competition to the state.
"Let me state clearly that we are happy to be a worthy partner with the Handball Federation of Nigeria in hosting the National Division One League.
"It has been a mutually beneficial and rewarding partnership which has seen Edo State attract the best of handball.
"I want to therefore assure the HFN that the Edo State Sports Commission has put plans in place to ensure that the National Division One League is a memorable one, which will see the best of handballing experience in Benin City," he concluded.
Also, the Secretary General of the HFN, Almu Lambu, has expressed the appreciation of the HFN to the Edo State Government for partnering with the Federation to sponsor and host the National Division One League 2024.
"On behalf of the HFN, we want to thank the Edo State Government for choosing to partner with us in ensuring the continued growth of handball in Nigeria."
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