The National Under-12 and Under-15 Handball Championship concluded on March 27, 2026, with host state Team Abia and Team Niger crowned champions in the female and male Under-15 categories respectively.
The tournament, held in Umuahia, adopted a round-robin format to determine the nation’s top youth handball talents. The final day was marked by some high-intensity matches and dominant performances that solidified the standings across the four major categories.
The championship showcased a competitive hierarchy among the participating states and academies, with Girl Child from Benue, Team Kwara, and Team Niger providing stiff competition for the hosts.
Team Abia successfully defended their title in the Under-15 Female category, securing the championship for the second consecutive year. In a decisive final match against Nuela Angels of Kwara State, the Abia girls maintained control from the start, heading into halftime with a 14–6 lead and ultimately sealing a comfortable 29–15 victory.
The Under-15 Male category saw Team Niger emerge as the undisputed leaders with a perfect tally of eight points. Their path to the trophy included a commanding 33–11 victory over Team Bauchi and a high-scoring final-day win against Coach Emeka Nnamani-led C&S FPS Academy (Ilorin).
Despite a valiant effort from C&S FPS Academy, the “Bago Boys” of Niger maintained a steady lead throughout the match, eventually winning 46–36. Earlier in the day, Team Abia bounced back from their loss to Niger to defeat Team Kwara 34–21, securing a third-place finish.
In the Under-12 category, C&S FPS Academy, led by Coach Emeka Nnamani, secured gold in the male category. Meanwhile, Team Abia mirrored their Under-15 success by claiming the top spot in the female category, further cementing the host state’s status as a powerhouse in youth handball.
Final Day Results:
Under-15 Male Category:
Team Abia-Team Niger 19-32 (9-13)
Team Bauchi-Team Niger 11-33 (3-18)
Team Abia-Team Kwara 34-21 (15-12)
C&S Academy-Team Niger 36-46 (16-26)
Under-15 Female Category Final:
Team Abia-Nuela Angels 29-15 (14-6)
Below is the final standings after the last day’s matches.
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