By: Chinedum Ohanusi
Poverty Fighters Handball Club of Abuja made its eagerly awaited debut in the North Central Handball Championships, holding in Makurdi, by holding Prudent Energy Handball Premier League side, Benue Buffaloes to a thrilling 20-20 draw.
The match, which was interrupted by a shower of rainfall, had both spectators and officials applauding great handball display from the youngsters from Abuja, and the resilience of the host to contain their rampaging moves.
The match was officially the first competitive for the team, which was inaugurated in January this year, and they took a 3 goal lead from the first period to the break, leading 11-8.
In other Day 1 matches so far concluded at the refurbished Handball Courts of the Aper Aku Stadium, in Makurdi:
FRSC Safety Shooters crushed Nasarawa Ambassadors 38-20; Niger United of Minna drubbed Suleja Shooters46-17, in the derby.
The only women’s fixture so far played saw Dream Dream Girls of Gboko going down 15-39 defending champions, FRSC Safety Babes, of Abuja.
All 14 teams listed for the tournaments have arrived in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, and officials of the 9 men and 5 women’s participating teams held a Technical Meeting with the Organising Committee, Referees, and Match Delegates to ratifying the draws and bye-laws to be used for the competition.
The weeklong championships are sponsored by GeorgeOjih Foundation, and organized under the auspices of the Mega Handball Veterans of Abuja, led by Saidu Jibrin Ojih.