Kano Pillars and Safety Babes emerged champions of the Prudent Energy Handball Premier League 2021 which concluded in Abuja on Wednesday.

Both sides who also won the men’s and women’s titles in 2019, got a cash price of N1.25 million while the second and third placed teams got N1 million and N750,000 naira respectively.

Kano Pillars and Safety Babes will also represent Nigeria in the continental club handball championships.

Pillars won the men’s title for the second time in three years, edging out Safety Shooters on head-to-head after both sides finished on 29 points.

Niger United could have claimed the title on the final day but lost 26-19 Safety Shooters to finish in third position.

Meanwhile, Plateau Vipers have been relegated from the top division following defeat to Seasiders Boys of Lagos who finished fourth on the league table.

Safety Babes took the women’s title with 25 points, two points more than now deposed champions Adorable Angels while Imo Grasshoppers finished in third place.

Debutants Bayelsa Queens were relegated following a narrow 24-23 loss to Plateau Peacocks.

Bayelsa Queens needed to avoid defeat against Peacocks to stave off relegation but failed to hold on to their lead in the dying moments and they join Confluence Queens in suffering the drop.