By Cosmas Ezeoke

Coach of Prudent Energy Handball Premier League female club, Safety Babes of Abuja, Mr Bala Mohammed have stated that the Abuja ladies are primed to defend the title they won in Lagos last year.

Speaking with Best Choice Sports in Abuja ahead of the commencement of the 2022 Prudent Energy Handball Premier League season on Monday, Coach Mohammed who spoke with optimism, said the ladies are ready to defend the crown.

“They are very, very ready and willing to defend the the league.” Mr Mohammed who said he would not be on the bench for the team during the league, started.

“We have prepared at high intensity and now, the players are physically fit, mentally stable and financially okay to defend the league.
With all this, I believe, with God on their side, they will defend the trophy,”.

When asked if ” home advantage” would work for them as they are the host city, Coach Mohammed said no, rather teams with unknown pedigree would go for upset against them.

“As usual, the normal thing is that when the champion is playing, especially when it is paying a low team, so to say, there will be support for the other team because of onslaught.

“We don’t want to give room for them, we want to remain what we are and retained what we have achieved over the last 20 years. We have always been consistent and things will not be different this time around.”

Accepting, however, that the league is not going to be an easy one, Coach Mohammed explained why he wound not be on the technical bench of both male team (Safety Shooters) and female team (Safety Babes) during the league.

“It is not going to be easy, every team is preparing and getting better with good players but we have been together for long without much problems. We are good to go

“I am coaching both teams but because of my position now, as the Technical Director of Handball Federation of Nigeria, HFN, I have to work with the federation. But in terms of preparations, we have worked out strategy on how to get the team in perfect shape.

“We have a master plan and I think they will continue with it.I won’t be on the bench with them because I have another responsibility and all the team’s in the league belong to me.”

Safety Babes will begin their defence against Seasiders Babes of Lagos on Monday by 10am while Safety Shooters will take own Owena Kings of Akure in the last match of the day by 6pm.