2023 Ardova Handball Premier League attracts N20M pay package, says organisers

Posted : 27 June 2023

A total of 20 million naira will be won at the 2023 Ardova Handball Premier League, the organisers have said.

The first phase of the Ardova Handball Premier League will be held in Edo State from July 1 to 13.

According to Sam Ocheho, President of Handball Federation of Nigeria, first position in the men and women categories takes home N2 million each, second position takes home N1.5 million each (men and women), while third position grabs N1 million in the men and women categories.

Ocheho said the sum of 500,000 naira will be given to the 22 participating teams (12 men and 10 women).

Ocheho said the partnership between Ardova PLC and the Handball Federation of Nigeria was due to the antecedent of the Federation in terms of funding.

Ocheho who doubles as the President, Confederation of African Handball (CAHB) Zone 3, said a lot of burden has been placed on him.

He said, "The partnership between Ardova and the Handball Federation of Nigeria is based on trust, transparency and accountability.

"A lot of people have wondered how we have been able to maintain the partnership over the years and it’s simply based on the three pillars mentioned above.

"They have seen our intentions, how we handle the funds entrusted with us and over the years, we have had the engagement with them including visibility.

"A lot of burden has been placed on me based on this sponsorship that I have to deliver," he said.

Ocheho said Ardova is currently focusing on sponsoring the handball league.

He emphasised that he wanted to see handball grow in Nigeria and compete with other developed handball nations.

He said, "Ardova is very clear in terms of the area in which it is sponsoring the Handball Federation of Nigeria and that has to do with the Premier League.

"They are not involved in our National Teams (African Championships) for now; the commitment is solely on the Premier League and I think we’ll respect their decision."

He further said, "I am expecting to see younger players at the first phase of the league; I know there will be a lot of movement of players around the teams because of the transfer window but what I’ll love to see is a lot of young players who have graduated from the underage competition into the senior team.

"I want to see quality handball being displayed by the participating team.

"It is my desire to see fairness from the technical side, referees and coaches.

"I want to see Nigeria handball develop from its current level and move to the next level; the league is a good way to show that."

He said the partnership with Prudent Energy in the last five years created job opportunities for handball players.

He said, "The partnership between Prudent Energy and HFN changed the face of handball in Nigeria. We see that the league has developed seriously; our players have developed and are beginning to export players from the Nigeria league to other leagues.

"The league has created employment for youths and there has been more visibility for prudent.

"The partnership has worked strongly with both parties, and I can assure you it can only get better.

"For us, the years in which handball has done better even at the international level are the years in which we had title sponsors."

2023 Ardova Handball Premier League attracts N20M pay package, says organisers

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