Handball Federation reviews 2021 sporting calendar
The Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN), on Thursday, said that the Prudent Energy Handball Premier League 2021 would no longer be in phases.
It will hold on a consolidated basis in October 2021, according to its new revised calendar.
Samuel Ocheho, President of HFN said in a statement that the revised calendar released by the federation, the top tier premier handball league slated for May would no longer hold.
He added that the competition would hold in Abuja in October.
“Having the league during the Ramadan period is not ideal.
“The top tier league, which was hitherto played in phases with the first phase slated to hold in Abuja this May, will now hold in the Nation’s Capital Abuja.
“It will later hold in the year, in October in one consolidated event wherein the teams will play round-robin games amongst themselves and the league winners, as well as the relegated teams, will be decided,’’ Ocheho said.
According to him, the decision to play in one phased competition, as it was played last year, was made after due consultation with stakeholders.
“The first phase of the Prudent Energy Handball Premier League 2021 will have held in May but stakeholders were not prepared to play through the Ramadan.
“Some wanted the division one to hold to bring about more competitiveness in the league as that will ensure demotion and promotion of new teams.”
Other changes that were made include the National Women Handball Team which will begin camping for the Africa Women Handball Nations Cup in Abuja from May 2 to the first week of June.
Thereafter, the team will depart the country for Cameroon where the Championship will hold from June 6 to June 18.
The new calendar further states that in July, the National Division One League would hold to enable teams to gain promotion for the Prudent Energy Handball Premier 2021.
Also, Sokoto would play host to the National U-12 and U-15 Handball Championships in August.
Ocheho said that the handball family would be looking towards a loaded second quarter of the year filled with activities.
He urged the stakeholders to continue supporting the programmes and activities of the HFN.
