By Amaechi Agbo
Defending champions Safety Babes and Safety Shooters began their title defences on a winning note as the 2026 Ardova Handball Premier League got underway on Saturday at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos.
Record-Making Safety Babes, who are chasing a sixth consecutive women’s title, started their campaign with a convincing 43-18 victory over Funad Academy in the opening match of the day in the women’s category with 2018 champion, Plateau Peacocks securing a narrow 23-21 victory over Defender Babes, while Rivers Queens defeated Rima Queens 20-17.
SOOF Handball Club Benin City overcame Imo Grasshoppers 27-22, and Ekiti Queens rounded off the day’s fixtures with a 31-20 win against Omo-Ogiefo Academy of Benin City.
The men’s category produced an entertaining encounters as former champions Tojemarine Handball Club of Lagos surrendered a seven-goal advantage to settle for a 31-31 draw against De Defenders.
Correction Boys recorded a 28-16 victory over Osun United, while Rima Strikers defeated NAF Rockets 28-20. Defending Champion Safety Shooters, also recorded a comfortable 34-20 win over U&H Abia in the final game.
There were also two walkover results, with COAS Shooters and Niger United awarded 10-0 victories following the failure of three times Kano Pillars and Benue Buffaloes to honour their respective fixtures.
The 2026 edition of the league, proudly sponsored by Ardova Plc, runs from November 7 to 21 at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, and the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Surulere, Lagos.
Matches continue on Sunday with Matchday Two at the Rowe Park Sports Center, Yaba, Lagos.
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