Handball-Season to start with Challenge Cup |08 February 2012

All women’s and men’s teams registered with the Seychelles Handball Federation (SHF) are eligible to take part in the annual two-day event scheduled to start at 10am on both days.

The women’s defending champions are Mont Fleuri Storm who dethroned 2010 winners Arsu. They beat the same Arsu 30-20 in last year’s final before going on to make a clean sweep of all the titles on offer.

There were no men’s Challenge Cup winners last year as the final between Durantha Brothers and Super 8 was stopped at 37 points apiece because of a lack of lighting at the Mont Fleuri court. For reasons beyond its control, the SHF could not reschedule the match.

The Challenge Cup will be followed by the two SHF curtain-raiser cup matches on Saturday February 18 at the Palais des Sports. The curtain-raiser cup matches are disputed by the previous year’s league and cup winners.

The women’s match is between reigning league and cup champions Mont Fleuri Storm and Royal Queens (formerly Arsu) who finished as runners-up in both competitions.

Coached by Danny Philoé, Mont Fleuri Storm easily swept past APC Sisters 34-19 at the Mont Fleuri court in last year’s game to defend the title they had won in 2010.

Last year’s league winners Super 8 will clash with defending SHF Cup winners PLS Hurricanes in the men’s encounter. After edging Durantha Brothers 47-46 in last year’s match, Super 8 will put their title on the line.
The Mohan Shopping Centre-sponsored national league will begin on Sunday February 26 and will be followed by the SHF Cup.
The five women’s teams who have registered with the SHF this year are Teens, Mont Fleuri Storm, RC Tornado, Royal Queens and APC Sisters.

Durantha Brothers, Super 8, PLS Hurricanes, Young Eagles, Tiger HB and AC Brothers are the six men’s sides who will battle for silverware this season.

Also on this year’s calendar are the secondary school league, primary school regional knockout competition, post-secondary knockout competition, National Cup and Regatta beach handball tournament.

Local handballers will also get the chance to play in international competitions this year.
League champions Mont Fleuri Storm (women) and Super 8 (men) are expected to take part in the Indian Ocean Club Championship in Mauritius in November, while the under-20 selections will play in the Challenge Cup in Madagascar from April 8-16.

The under-15 female and male teams will go on an exchange programme to Mauritius from August 3-7 and the under-30 teams will be involved in the Partille Cup in Italy from July 2-7.

G. G.