Other Sports
DELTA, PLATEAU WIN NIGERIA HOCKEY MASTERS SERIES 3 TITLES
Delta Hockey Masters and Plateau Hockey Masters at the weekend won the men’s and women’s categories titles at the Series 3 of the Nigeria Hockey Masters competition held at the Artificial Pitch of the Elegbata Sports Complex, Apongbon, Lagos Island.
The Delta State Masters led by Nigeria Hockey Masters captain and legendary hockey player, Felix Gheghor, were exceptional in all the games they played surprising exhibiting the skills and zest that made them a force to reckon with in the glory days of Nigerian hockey.
The Delta Masters which paraded great Nigeria hockey legends like Peter Itawansa, Sunday Ogodogu, Samson Abrakassa, Aliyu Shauibu and Lucky Adamson among others, were purposeful in all the games they played as they brushed aside challenges from the Omi Brown-led Port Harcourt Masters, the Folarin Jaiyeola-led South West Masters and South South Masters motivated by ex-international and the National Coordinator of the Nigerian Hockey Masters, Barrister Walter Imoedemhe.
The Ports Harcourt Masters also had top hockey masters as Samuel Jackson, Abiodun Bakare, Tami Biambo, Kelvin Otonye, Mpaka Jack, Barango Daye and Tom-Ifiye Okpobiri.
The South South Masters made up predominantly by hockey legends from Edo state, they are Sunday Oyinwere, Chukwuma Mouka, Tony Ogbuoma, Tayo Adesanya, Kayode Opeodu, and Christian Onasanya.
While the South West Masters had former Union Bank Hockey team captain, Okwudili Menye, the longest serving Nigeria national team goalkeeper and former Nigeria Hockey Federation Vice President Folarin Jaiyeola, reigning Chairman of the Lagos State Hockey Association Mobolaji Musa, long term secretary of Union Bank Hockey club Emmanuel Isibor and Police Machine coach Sunday Kaze. Other South West Masters that distinguished themselves in the NHM Series 3 at the Elegbata Sports Complex, include: Shola Cole, Cyril Osigwe, Niyi Oredein, Chidi Egonu, Brown Yinusa and Babajide.
The South West Masters were supported by two non-playing hockey greats; Jamiu Aminu and Ayo Ladeinde, who gave the team all the needed boost to forge ahead.
The most interesting game in the Men’s category was the match between South West Masters and the South South Masters. It was a very impressive game that had the trappings of vintage Nigeria hockey top flight games when the masters were at the prime of their career.
In the women’s category, visiting Plateau Women’s Masters won the title after beating South West Women Ladies in a two legged fixtures. The Plateau Ladies were too tough to crack by the South West Ladies led by ex-international Ileladewa Aloba, who re-enacted her excellent stick work, but the defensive brick wall set by the Plateau Ladies was just too solid to crack.
This was followed by a fanfare victory ceremonies where the champion Delta Hockey Masters were presented with gold medals and a gold trophy for their efforts in the men’s category.
The second and third placed teams were presented with silver and bronze medals respectively.
In the women’s class the two teams Plateau Ladies and South West Ladies were presented with gold and silver medals respectively.
The Nigeria Hockey Masters Series 3 competition was preceded by NHM General Congress which held at the Manason Hotel, Adebola Street, off Adeniran Ogunsanya.
The Congress was addressed by the NHM General Coordinator, Barrister Imoudemhe.
The hosting of the National Under-14 Hockey Championship was ratified by the Congress to be hosted the Port Harcourt Masters.
December 15, 2019 was scheduled as the kick off date tentatively, with a total 15 male and 15 female teams set to participate.
It was also proposed and agreed that, there will be a Masters Challenge among members alongside the Under-14 Championship.
The General Coordinator, Imoudemhe confirmed that all plans have been concluded with the Nigeria Hockey Federation.
In his speech, the Nigeria Hockey Masters General Coordinator, congratulated all NHM members on the successful hosting of NHM 3rd Series, Lagos, which he described as an opportunity to witness the gathering of hockey veterans.
He noted: “At the beginning of 2019, we agreed to host 3 Series. We did not only meet it, we surpassed it, thereby creating an active and vibrant hockey environment in Nigeria.
“We have resolved on several issues, among them the hosting of 1st NHM National U-14 Hockey Championship. We look forward to our commitment and pray for its success.
“I thank sincerely the Executive Committee of NHM, particularly those that sent apologies – Dr Mahbudi and Dr Awalu, weldone. Also, the LOC of NHM 3, the President and members of Nigeria Hockey Federation particularly, Mr. Folarin Fajembola, for total representation of the Board at the NHM Series 3 in Lagos, our partners in NHM 3 – Mr. Mobolaji Musa, who is the Chairman of Lagos Hockey Association and Members.
“I appreciate Mrs. Okoro Sokoh of Estymol Groups of Companies, Solar Company, and our friends – Mr. Tunde Popoola, Simon Nkon, Mr. Emman Oviawe, particularly Mr. Dapo Sotuminu for the support in the area of media/ publicity.
“Let me recognise especially the goodwill messages from Senator Abdullahi Ningi, Simon Nkom, Dr Awalu and Dr. Mahbudi. We appreciate the exemplary unique places each of you occupy in the building of hockey bridges across Nigeria. Thank you Sirs.”
Imoudemhe noted that: “Achieving anything takes commitment and deliberate actions of all. For this, remember the committed whole to the growth of NHM, we commend and appreciate you. Thank you very much. Our appreciation also goes to the Lady masters from far and near. Your resilence in making contributions to NHM in time, energy and support is commendable.”
The stage is set for the 3rd National Para Games, Nigeria’s largest and most prestigious para sports event, scheduled to hold from March 26 to April 3, 2026, in Abuja.
For nine days, the nation’s capital will host more than 3,000 athletes representing all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, competing across 15 different sports in what promises to be a vibrant celebration of resilience, excellence and inclusion. Organisers say champions will emerge, records will tumble, and new chapters will be written in Nigeria’s para sports history.
The Games are being organised by the National Sports Commission, which describes the event as a critical platform for talent discovery, national unity and the advancement of para sports development across the country.
Since its inception, the National Para Games has evolved into a cornerstone of Nigeria’s sporting calendar, spotlighting the remarkable abilities of athletes living with disabilities while reinforcing the country’s commitment to inclusive participation in sports.
Officials say the 2026 edition will surpass previous outings in scale, organisation and competitive intensity. With participation confirmed from every state of the federation and the FCT, the Games are expected to reveal the depth of talent spread nationwide and provide a pathway for standout performers to progress to continental and global competitions.
In a significant boost to preparations, the National Youth Service Corps has partnered with the Commission by releasing its Orientation Camp in Kubwa, Abuja, to serve as the official Games Village. The facility will accommodate athletes and officials throughout the competition, offering a secure and community-focused environment designed to foster camaraderie and peak performance.
The collaboration reflects a broader inter-agency commitment to empowering young Nigerians and promoting social integration through sport. It also underscores growing national recognition of para athletes as integral contributors to Nigeria’s sporting success.
With anticipation building and logistics nearing completion, Abuja is poised to welcome thousands of competitors and supporters for what promises to be a defining celebration of courage, competition and collective pride.
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By Keresifon Essien
Akwa Ibom State will parade a strong contingent of about 280 athletes and 44 officials at the 2026 Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF), scheduled to hold in Benin City, Edo State, from February 20 to 28.
The State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with the Curator of Keresy Sports Museum (KSM), Keresifon Essien, noting that Team Akwa Ibom will compete in 16 sporting events at the regional multi-sports fiesta.
According to Bassey, the sports in which the state will feature include football, basketball, volleyball, handball, table tennis, badminton, lawn tennis, boxing, wrestling, judo, karate, taekwondo, weightlifting, swimming and chess.
To ensure optimal preparation, the state government has constituted a five-man State Liaison Committee to oversee arrangements for the festival. The committee is chaired by the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey.
Other members of the committee are Coach Catherine Ewa Ekuta, Head of Technical; Guinness World Record holder George Essien; Edidiong Stephen, a member; and Mfon Bassey, who serves as Secretary.
Bassey explained that the committee has been mandated to fine-tune all preparations for the festival, beginning with the state trials scheduled for this weekend, and to ensure that the contingent arrives in Benin City fully prepared and ready to project Akwa Ibom State positively at the Niger Delta Sports Festival.
He expressed confidence that with proper planning and early preparations, Team Akwa Ibom will make a strong impression when the festival proper begins.
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Team Nigeria on Monday afternoon departed the country for Cairo, Egypt, where they will compete in the 2025 World Karate Championship scheduled for November 27–30.
The nation will be represented by five outstanding athletes who have demonstrated exceptional discipline, consistency, and competitive grit in their buildup to the global event. The team is made up of:
- Loveth Ngozi Okoro – Kumite -50kg
- Godfirst Orie Ukoha-Sampson – Kumite -55kg
- Constance Tamunodiepreye Abode – Kumite -61kg
- Ujunwa Caroline Nwankwo – Kumite +68kg
- Oluwaseun Olorunbe – Male Kata
The athletes, who have undergone intense preparations, will be led by coach Efezino Akpotu, while Olusegun Abode serves as the leader of delegation.
Four members of the squad—Ngozi, Godfirst, Constance, and Ujunwa—are already well-known names on the domestic circuit. They are regular contenders at the Zainab Saleh International Female Open Karate Championship, an annual tournament founded by Hajiya Zainab Saleh, a Board Member of the Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN). The championship has been widely recognised for empowering and developing female karatekas across the country.
Ahead of the team’s participation, the Board of the KFN expressed confidence in the athletes’ ability to deliver strong performances on the world stage.
However, it also appealed to the National Sports Commission (NSC) for urgent financial support to offset debts incurred in ensuring Nigeria’s participation in the championship.
According to the federation, the World Karate Championship falls under the mandate of the NSC, and timely intervention is necessary to stabilise the federation’s operations after securing the team’s trip to Cairo.
Team Nigeria will now focus on making a strong impact as they join the world’s best karatekas in Egypt later this week.
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