Sports
Handball League: Dynamos, Bayelsa Queens Win League
Bendel Dynamos and Bayelsa Queens at the weekend emerged winners in the male and female categories respectively of the National Division One Handball League. The championship was held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, and Edo State.
Bendel Dynamos yesterday defeated Idah Pillars 33-20 to confirm their leadership of the group in the male category, while Correctional Boys walloped Confluence Kings 33 to 20 to finish second. Both teams will now play their next league match in the premier league.
In the female category, Bayelsa Queens finished top of the table. They are joined by Delta Force girls who beat Abia Valliants to also secure promotion to the Prudent Energy Handball Premier League as runner up.
Speaking to The Tidesports source on his team’s promotion to the Prudent Energy Handball Premier League in 2023, Coach Momosani Sani Adejoh of Correctional Boys expressed delight that his boys made him proud by returning to the country’s top-flight league after three years of absence.
“I am so proud of what the boys did today and today’s performance was a result of our defeat to the host team, the Bendel Dynamos. They beat us 23 to 21 on day five of the championship, which was our only loss and we are better for it.
“In today’s fixture against Confluence Kings, my boys were on top of their game and they performed very well enough to win the game convincingly. And this is because we were anxious to win since we knew what was at stake,” he said.
The coach of the Abuja-based team added, “We last played in the premier league in 2019; that was when we were relegated to the second-tier league. We tried on three different occasions to return to the premier league, but we did not succeed. But thank God we are now back and we hope to do our best to remain there.
“Though I know that the premier league is a different ball game compared with the National League Division One, we will try our best to work on our game before then. I spoke to my sporting director about it and he has assured me that something would be done in that direction on return to Abuja,” he stated.
The National Division One and Division Two Volleyball Leagues organised by the Volleyball Federation of Nigeria and sponsored by Alex Otti has kicked off in Umuahia, Abia State.
The Championship features 34 teams from across the country, with about 22 States already participating in activities lined up for the ten-day event.
Addressing journalists at the Umuahia Stadium, the Referee Coach for the tournament and Vice Chairman Nigerian Volleyball Referees Association, Mohamed Mohamed, assured of fair officiating in the competition and advised the athletes to be more disciplined in the field of play, saying that volleyball is known to be a disciplined sport.
He also commended Governor Alex Otti for sponsoring the tournament for the second time.
“Last year, we were here, and we so appreciate the Abia State Government for sponsoring such a competition. The same thing happened this year too, we are here again.
The Coordinator, Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, has stated that the All Women 10km Race aims to connect through their communities, while creating empowerment opportunities.
The 10th edition with the theme: “One Run, a thousand Opportunities,” will come up on the November 8th, 2025, with the start point at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and end at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan.
This year’s edition of the Lagos Women Run marks a significant milestone, celebrating the program’s journey, the vibrant city of Lagos, and the incredible women who have been part of it since its inception.
It will focus more on empowering women, acknowledging their dedication, and ensuring the program’s sustainability by providing participants with opportunities they deserve.
Popoola added that the race has achieved remarkable success in making women happy and uncovering talents, serving as a platform for participants to train for bigger road races, which fosters a strong sense of community, allowing women of all ages to connect, network, and celebrate themselves.
The event’s non-discriminatory nature makes it a level playing ground, open to everyone regardless of social status, by promoting general well-being among women.
The Franco-Malian tactician made the bold declaration whilst speaking to Nigerian legend Segun Odegbami on 90 Minutes with Mathematical on Eagle7FM on Saturday, expressing gratitude to fans for their support.
“Thanks to the fans. Thanks to Nigeria. I am so happy that I have brought back the smiles on their faces,” Chelle said.
“We beat Benin because the fans pushed the players. I ask them this: They have to do this (for the playoffs)… I plan to do my best for Nigeria, and Inshallah, we will go to the FIFA World Cup.”
Chelle, who took charge of a struggling Nigerian side in January, has transformed the team’s fortunes after inheriting a squad on the brink of disaster. Nigeria were winless in their first four qualifiers, with three draws and one defeat threatening to derail another World Cup dream.
Under his leadership, the Super Eagles rallied to win four and draw two of their last six games, collecting 14 points from a possible 18. The highlight came earlier this month in Uyo, where Nigeria swept past Benin Republic 4-0 in a statement victory that reignited national belief.
However, the revival was not enough to seal automatic qualification. Nigeria finished among the four best runners-up in Africa and must now navigate a continental playoff in November for a spot in next March’s intercontinental tie.
The first challenge is a one-legged showdown with Gabon, with Cameroon or DR Congo potentially waiting beyond.
Chelle’s message to his players was uncompromising, saying, “Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is not a war, but it is like a war… My players need to have a warrior state of mind… They have to be like sharks.”