The first phase of the Prudent Energy Handball Premier League commences today at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Abuja with a number of matches in the men and women’s categories.

In the women’s category, Imo Grasshoppers of Owerri will take on Owena Queens of Akure in the first match of Day One while defending champions Plateau Peacocks of Jos start their title defence against Edo Dynamos of Benin.

Safety Babes of FRSC play Desert Queens of Katsina while Abia Valiants of Umuahia and Seasiders Babes of Lagos take centre stage next. Kada Queens of Kaduna and Defender Babes round off the day’s action in the women’s category in the evening match.

A northern derby marks the start of action in the men’s category, as Kada Stars of Kaduna lock horns with Bornu Spiders of Maiduguri while Lagos Seasiders battle another northern outfit, Kano Pillars.

Akure based team Owena Kings play  D. Defenders of the Civil Defence while defending champions Niger United begin the defence of their title against Army boys, COAS Shooters.

Other games in the men category on the opening day will see Safety Shooters of FRSC take on Prison Key Boys while Plateau Vipers and Sokoto Rima close out matchday one fixtures.

Meanwhile, ahead of the opening fixtures of the league, President of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Samuel Ocheho has urged participating teams to conduct themselves in a respectable manner and ensure play fair in competition.

“Fair play is the watchword for the league so I, therefore, urge the participating teams to conduct themselves with respect and adhere to the rules of the league,” Ocheho said.

The first phase of the Prudent Energy Handball Premier League ends on the 25th of May 2019.