Organisers have announced a bump in prize money from N4.5 million to N6million for the 2020 edition of the Prudent Energy Handball Premier League which will hold at the MKO Abiola Stadium from 23 October to 6 November.

The competition which failed to hold earlier in the year due to the coronavirus pandemic finally got the greenlight following approval from the sports ministry and the lifting of all restrictions on all contact sports by the federal government on Friday.

The unique circumstances of this year’s tournament means there will be no phases and teams will face off in a round robin format to decide the men and women’s champions the Handball Federation of Nigeria said in a statement.

Winners will cart home N1.25million in prize money while the first and second runners up will win N1.0million and N0.75million respectively in both the male and female categories.

The Handball Federation of Nigeria said participating teams will now receive N300,000 up from N250,000 to aid their preparations.

The HFN assured it would ensure strict adherence to the sports ministry’s Covid-19 protocols with teams and officials to be provided with face masks and sanitisers.

Kano Pillars and Safety Babes are defending men and women’s champions respectively and will be to looking make history by retaining their crowns. 

No team has successfully defended the title since the commencement of the Prudent Energy Handball Premier League in 2018.