By Our Correspondent

The 2022 Proudent Energy Handball Premier League phase one will commence in the Federal Capital Territory on Sunday

The top tier handball premier league will commence with the phase one from May 22nd to June 3, 2022 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja with teams and officials already in the Federal Capital Territory to prepare for its commencement.

Twenty two teams – 12 teams for the male category and 10 teams for the female category respectively – will contest against each other to ensure they are in good standing in this phase and give them a fighting chance ahead of the second phase in Lagos.

Kano Pillars and Safety Babes, the defending champions in the Male and Female Categories, will want to be the first team in the history of the Prudent Energy Handball Premier League to retain their titles and they are already talking tough.

The promoted teams from the National Division One Handball League 2021 edition in Benin City, Edo State are Rima Queens of Sokoto and Benue Queens for the female category while Owena Kings makes a return to the top tier league alongside Benue Buffaloes in the Male Category.

They take over from Plateau Vipers, COAS Shooters (Male Category) and Bayelsa Queens, Confluence Queens (Female Category) who were relegated at the Prudent Energy Handball Premier League 2021.

Meanwhile, determined to promoting professionalism in the 2022 Prudent Energy Handball Premier League, the Handball Federation of Nigeria, HFN have scheduled various seminars for coaches, referees, match delegates and officials as the league kicks off this weekend.

A release of the schedules made available to Best Choice Sports indicate that two training seminars will hold before and during the league

The first training which is strictly meant for the head coaches of all the 22 participating clubs, invited referees, match delegates and Tournament Directors, will hold from 20th to 21st May, 2022.

The second seminar which is for match delegates, and interested referees will commence from May 22nd to June 2nd, 2022.

The trainings will hold at the Multi-purpose Indoor Sports Hall, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package B, Abuja.

The 2022 Prudent Energy Handball Premier League will hold from May 22nd to June 3rd, 2022 at the Multi-purpose Indoor Sports Hall, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package B, Area 1, Garki, Abuja.

Kano Pillars, Safety Babes are the defending champions of the Prudent Energy Handball tourney after they won the male and female categories respectively in last year’s season.

Participating Teams For the Prudent Energy Handball Premier League 2022 are

1. Benue Buffaloes of Markudi
2. Confluence Kings of Lokoja
3. De Defenders of Civil Defence
4. Kada Stars of Kaduna
5. Kano Pillars of Kano
6. Niger United of Minna
7. Owena Kings of Akure
8. Police Machine of the Nigeria Police
9. Rima Strikers of Sokoto
10. Safety Shooters of FRSC
11. Seasider Boys of Lagos
12. Tojemarine Academy of Lagos

Female Category

1. Adorable Angels of Ilorin
2. Benue Queens of Markudi
3. Defender Babes of Civil Defence
4. Edo Dynamos of Benin City
5. Imo Grasshoppers of Owerri
6. Kada Queens of Markudi
7. Plateau Peacocks of Jos
8. Rima Queens of Sokoto
9. Safety Babes of FRSC
   10.Seasider Babes of Lagos