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 Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, which began with the first phase in Benin City months ago, before the second phase in Lagos which ends with a finale that the Executive Chairman of Ardova PLC, Dr. Abdulwasiu Sowami, ably represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Ardova PLC, Mrs Abiola Babatunde-Ojo, described as delightful to watch in her speech.
For Safety Shooters, it was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches while Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant team, not just in the women’s category but in the history of handball premier league in Nigeria.
In the Men’s Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2.
Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.
The organisers of the Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters Tournament have earmarked N4 million as the prize money for this year’s edition.
?The Chairman of the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, Diran Famakinwa, stated this at a briefing, highlighting the activities for the second edition of the tournament.
?The tournament, which is in collaboration with MegaMound Investment Limited, is endorsed by the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
?According to Famakinwa, the male and female champions will receive N500,000 each, while the runners-up in both categories will go home with the sum of N350,000 each, with the remaining money to be shared among the semi-finalists and other participants.
?Sixteen players, which includes the eight top ?male and eight top female players, will feature in the one-week event, which started on December 5, and run till Saturday, December 13.
?The female final will be held on Friday, December 12, while the male final will take up on Saturday, December 13.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NSC described the defender as “Captain Fantastic” and praised his decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, highlighting a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty.
“After a decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty,” the NSC stated.
The commission noted that, as one of the most capped defenders in Super Eagles history with 83 international appearances since his debut in 2015, Troost-Ekong served as a pillar of leadership across multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns.
“His exceptional outing at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and was named Player of the Tournament, remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a defender in AFCON history,” the NSC added.
The statement further emphasised that Troost-Ekong’s “Nigeria first” mindset, discipline and exemplary conduct set a standard for the next generation of athletes, with his influence within the national team extending beyond the pitch to inspire unity, resilience and professionalism among his teammates.
Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong has dismissed rumours that he was forced to retire by the country’s football administrators as punishment for leading a revolt against the NFF.
The 32-year-old’s announcement came less than a month before the AFCON, and he was named in the 54-man preliminary list. His decision sparked speculation, particularly as he had led a strike in protest against unpaid bonuses during the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
One fan speculated on social media, suggesting that Troost-Ekong was pressured to quit after exposing the NFF. The Al Khoolood defender offered a sharp retort, establishing that he unilaterally made the decision to retire.
“Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way,” he wrote on X.
The NSC concluded by wishing Troost-Ekong the very best in the next chapter of his career and commending him for representing Nigeria with honour.
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