The Handball Federation of Nigeria(HFN) 2024 National Division 1 Handball League has ended on Friday evening (19th July) with the emergence of COAS Shooters as winners of the male category and Omo Ogiefo Sports Academy, Benin winners of the female category.
In the final game played inside the Multipurpose Sports Hall of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, the COAS Shooters beat Osun United by 21 to 15 points to emerge winners of the male category while Omo Ogiefo Sports Academy defeated Ekiti Queens by 18 to 17 to cart home the trophy in the female category.
Fans were treated to unforgettable thrilling moments as the players displayed their capabilities in every twist and turn as the games progressed on a rollercoaster even as the officials of the teams urged their players on.
The four teams, COAS, Osun United, Omo Ogieva Sports Academy and Ekiti Queens, have by their credible performances given hint of what should be expected of them in the 2025 Ardova Premier League which they have qualified for.
On the sideline of the final matches, the President of Handball Federation of Nigeria, Sam Ocheho, in a chat with reporters gave kudos to the Edo State Government for its support to the federation by way of sponsorship of the tournament for four years running.
According to him, Edo State, a friendly place, has identified itself as the true home of the game of handball. He also heaped praises on the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Olympian Yusuf Alli, for his yeoman achievements so far.
“Edo State has been good to us. They have given us the opportunity to grow with them and that is why we are bringing all our championships to the state. Currently, our National Under 18 team is camping in Benin. They’re right here at the stadium. Everything is going well for us in Benin. They are in high spirit ahead of the world championships,” Ocheho asserted.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Edo State Sports Commission, Dr. Igbinosa Emmanuel, said that “the Handball Leagues in Edo has impacted on us. The team, Omo Ogiefo, we sent for Under 13 and 15 last year are now qualified for the Ardova Premier League. That is the great feat hosting HFN has done for us.”Â
In his assessment, the Technical Director of the HFN, Bala Mohammed, said: “I am impressed with the academies. You can see that Edo has produced three good academies. Today, one of them is in the final with one of the state teams. Technically, the players are not doing badly especially with the size that we’re seeing. They’re supposed to be playing at the under level.
“The problem is that when you continue to produce players as a coach and there’s no competition. The ones that are available you need to expose them. That’s why I said the players are not doing badly and the coaches are honestly doing a great job.”
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