Police Machine, Tojemarin, others shine at Edo 2021 handball tourney

TOJEMARIN, Police Machine, Benue Buffalos, Owena Kings, and Abia Valiants yesterday recorded victories in some of the matches played in the men and women’s categories of the National Division One Handball Championship, tagged Edo 2021, holding in Benin City, Edo State.

In the men’s class, Tojemarin overpowered hard- fighting Gateway in an interesting encounter, which ended 25 – 17, while Mindscope subdued Police Machine 10 – 18, just as Benue Buffalos walloped Bayelsa United 25 - 17.

Team Akwa Ibom settled for an 18 - 18 draw against Rivers Bullet, Abia Valiants trounced Police Machine 22 - 17, while Confluence Queens settled for an 18 – 18 draw in the women’s cadre.

Following Delta’s team win over Abia Valiants, who they beat 24- 21, Coach Samson Okotie has predicted that his team would win the women category of the Premier League.

“My aim is to take the team to the elite division after beating our closest rival, Abia Valiants. We are poised to pick one of the two qualification tickets. Having failed in 2019 under Coach Theodore Iyoga, Delta State Sports Council gave me a mandate to take the team to the elite class.”

He added that the experience garnered at the National Sports Festival, where his team won the gold medal, has helped his players cope with the pressure of playing in the league.