Joel Ajayi
It was excitement to the fullest on Saturday at the Hockey Pitch of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, as the 2026 National Hockey Super League commenced in grand style.
The event, which began on November 1st and will conclude on the 9th of November, features 13 male teams and 8 female teams from across the country battling for top honors in Nigeria’s premier hockey championship.
In the opening matches of the men’s category, Police Machine thrashed IGP Flickers 9–1, while Kada Stars whitewashed Adamawa 13–0. Plateau edged Ekiti 1–0, and Niger Flickers delivered an emphatic 10–0 victory over Team Katsina.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, President of the Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF), Engr. Simon Nkom, expressed delight at the successful start of the tournament, describing it as a major step toward strengthening grassroots hockey and promoting the sport’s growth nationwide.
“We will be back next year, and as the President of the Hockey Federation of Nigeria, I must say this is indeed a proud moment for us. We are here to witness a national event that we hold in very high esteem,” he said.
Engr. Nkom commended the media, sports enthusiasts, and the hockey community for their continued support, noting that the Super League came at the perfect time — especially after Nigeria’s bronze medal finish at the recently concluded African Cup of Nations.
“This is an important time to gather all our teams from across the country. The attendance has been impressive — with 13 male teams and 8 female teams participating. It’s a great way to end the year, return to our grassroots, and continue developing the game,” he added.
Reflecting on the Federation’s activities for the year, Nkom highlighted Nigeria’s participation in the African Club Championship in Egypt and other domestic tournaments, emphasizing that the NHF’s core focus remains on grassroots development rather than only continental competitions.
> “We started the year with some challenges, but our plans have gone largely according to schedule. We now have a vibrant new board that has hit the ground running, and this Super League marks our first major competition,” he said.
Looking ahead, the NHF President revealed that 2027 promises to be even more active and innovative for Nigerian hockey.
“Our plans for next year are ambitious. We want to consolidate our progress and build on the experiences we’ve gained. Having been elected as an Executive Member of the African Hockey Federation Board, Nigeria now has a rightful place on the continental stage — both in hockey and in sports administration,” he noted.
Nkom assured that the Federation would continue to introduce innovations that promote discipline, teamwork, and fair play among players.
“The best prize we can give isn’t necessarily monetary; it’s the invaluable experience these young players gain. However, we will also present unique awards — including Best Player, Best Goalkeeper, Youngest Player, and Most Disciplined Team — to encourage excellence and sportsmanship,” he concluded.
Also speaking, the Tournament Director, Mr. Falore Olajuyigbe, confirmed that 14 male teams and 8 female teams are competing in this year’s edition. He explained that the tournament is designed to run for one week, ending on November 8th, with teams departing on the 9th.
Olajuyigbe described the atmosphere at the stadium as exciting and commended the level of play and spectatorship so far.
“It’s been quite entertaining. If you look around the stadium, you’ll see that spectators are enjoying themselves. Attendance has been encouraging, though there’s always room for improvement. The matches so far have been very competitive — maybe one or two have been one-sided, but overall, the standard has been impressive,” he said.
He added that before the kickoff, the Federation held a comprehensive technical briefing with all teams to review the tournament’s rules and procedures — the same standards used internationally.
“Two of our national umpires who officiated at the African Club Championship in Ismailia, Egypt, are also officiating here. We continue to learn and improve, taking valuable lessons from international experiences. I believe the organization and performance will get even better as the tournament progresses,” Olajuyigbe assured.
With the 2026 National Hockey Super League now in full swing, all eyes are on Abuja as Nigeria’s finest hockey talents battle fiercely for glory, honor, and national pride.
