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By Amaechi Agbo

Debutants, Poverty Fighters Handball Club of Abuja on Friday concluded their campaign in the 3rd edition of the North-Central Handball Championship with 30-20 victory over Suleja Shooters

The Abuja side had no mercy against their neighbours in Makurdi as they led 18-10 in first half.

With the result, the Fighters had an impressive competition debut after recording three wins, three losses and one draw in seven matches in the championship which started on Saturday last week

They played four Prudent Energy Handball Premier League sides, Benue Buffaloes, Confluence Stars of Kogi, Niger United and Safety Shooters drawing only against Buffaloes and losing narrowly to the other three.

The Fighters however won all their matches against Division One teams including Nasarawa Ambassador, Plateau Vipers and Suleja Shooters

They played 20-20 draw in opening match against Benue Buffaloes, beat Nasarawa Ambassador 30-21; lost 27-29 against Niger United before thrashing Plateau Vipers 23-16.

In other matches they lost 23-29 to Confluence Stars of Kogi before losing again to former Premier League champions, Safety Shooters 28-36.

Speaking on the overall performance of his team, Coach Abdullahi Jibrin commended the lads for a great show noting that the tournament gave them the needed platform to assess their plans so far. He lauded the organisers for a great competition adding that the Fighters will return stronger in the next edition

“Well, overall, it was not a bad outing for us. The championship is our first official competition as a team and we challenged the established teams in the championship. I commend my players, they gave their best and I am very much impressed.

“The organisers did creditably well. Although there were hitches but they were top of the game. We will get better in the next edition,” he concluded.