By Amaechi Agbo
Organisers of the 2026 Tojemarine Invitational Handball Championship have unveiled the list of participating teams for the highly anticipated international club tournament scheduled to take place in Lagos from July 16 to 25, 2026.
The championship, organised by Tojemarine Sport Club and themed “Building Champions, Inspiring Communities,” will feature 18 teams drawn from Nigeria, Ghana, and the Republic of Benin, underscoring the growing status of the competition as one of the emerging club handball tournaments in West Africa.
A total of 10 teams will compete in the men’s category, while eight teams will battle for honours in the women’s event during the ten-day championship.
Leading the men’s field is host side Tojemarine Handball Club, alongside Nigerian clubs Rima Strikers of Sokoto, Delta Force of Asaba, Niger United of Minna and De-Defenders of the Nigeria Civil Defence
They will be joined by Beninese clubs Energie, ASPAC, and Adidja HC, as well as Ghana Police Service and Health Life Global Handball Club from Ghana.
In the women’s category, SOOF Handball Club, Seasider Babes of Lagos Plateau Peacocks of Jos, and Rima Babes of Sokoto will represent Nigeria, while Ghana Police Service and Ghana Prisons Service will fly the flag of Ghana. Benin Republic will be represented by Flowers and ASPAC Handball Clubs.
According to the organisers, the championship is designed to provide a platform for clubs across West Africa to showcase their talents, improve competitive standards, and strengthen sporting relationships across the region.
The inclusion of teams from Ghana and Benin Republic highlights the international outlook of the tournament and reflects the increasing appeal of the championship beyond Nigeria’s borders.
Organisers believe the competition will make a significant contribution to the development of handball by exposing players and coaches to high-level competition while providing fans with an exciting spectacle of skill, athleticism, and sportsmanship.
With preparations gathering momentum, handball stakeholders and enthusiasts across the region are already looking forward to what is expected to be one of the biggest club handball events on the West African sporting calendar in 2026.
The Tojemarine Invitational International Handball Championship is an initiative of Tojemarine Sport Club, aimed at advancing handball development and creating opportunities for athletes to excel on both national and international stages.
