Joel Ajayi
The newly elected President of the Wrestling Federation of Nigeria (WFN) and Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has assured that the future of wrestling in Nigeria looks bright, promising an exciting period filled with innovation and growth for the sport.
Adeniyi made this known on Saturday shortly after being elected as President of the Federation, having secured 14 votes out of the total cast.
He expressed satisfaction with the smooth and transparent electoral process, describing it as a reflection of the positive reforms currently shaping Nigeria’s sports sector.
“It’s a very good feeling. The environment today is completely different from what we used to see in years past when elections often led to disagreements among stakeholders. What we are witnessing now is the result of reforms in the sports sector—putting the right people and processes in place,” he stated.
The CGC, who has been a strong supporter of sports development across various disciplines including basketball, volleyball, table tennis, and wrestling, said his administration will focus on building upon existing progress within the Federation.
According to him, his vision is to expand the reach of wrestling in Nigeria through stronger sponsorships, improved organization, and by elevating the sport into a truly national event that unites people.
“I’m excited to be working with a team of experienced individuals who have contributed immensely to the growth of wrestling in Nigeria.
“The outgoing president, who has served at every level of the sport—from athlete to coach to administrator—remains on the board, and that experience will be invaluable,” Adeniyi added.
He concluded by expressing optimism about the future of wrestling in Nigeria, affirming that it will be a period of renewed energy, collaboration, and remarkable progress for the Federation.
“It’s going to be an exciting period for wrestling, and we’re hopeful for the best,” he said.
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Engr. Nkom Re-Elected as Hockey Federation President, Says It’s a Victory for All Hockey Stakeholders
By Joel Ajayi
Engr. Simon Nkom has been re-elected as the President of the Nigerian Hockey Federation (NHF), securing another four-year term to lead the sport’s governing body in Nigeria.
The election, which took place on Saturday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium (Package B) in Abuja, was conducted in an atmosphere of peace, transparency, and inclusiveness.
Engr. Nkom emerged victorious with 10 votes, while Tunde Popoola was elected Vice President with 8 votes.
In his post-election remarks, Engr. Nkom expressed deep gratitude to all stakeholders, describing his re-election as a collective victory for the entire hockey family in Nigeria.
“This success is not my personal victory; it’s a victory for all hockey stakeholders. When hockey wins, everyone in the sport wins. I feel excited, but even more challenged to continue working harder for the progress of hockey and Nigerian sports in general,” he stated.
Reflecting on recent achievements, Nkom praised the national teams for their performances, highlighting the men’s bronze medal finish at the African Hockey Nations Cup—Nigeria’s best-ever result at the continental level.
“It’s the first time our men’s team has won bronze at the African Cup of Nations, which is a huge milestone. But we’re not satisfied yet. We have the talent, and with more exposure and support, I believe we can reach the finals and even win gold next time,” he said.
He also expressed optimism about the women’s team, noting that although they narrowly missed the podium this year, they remain one of the strongest sides in Africa.
Engr. Nkom reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to grassroots development, emphasizing the importance of catching young talents early and providing better training infrastructure, including artificial pitches.
“We have many young players coming through our grassroots programs. Most of our current national team members started playing before the age of 18. We’ll keep nurturing these talents so that we always have a strong pipeline of players,” he explained.
He further appealed for greater support and media attention for hockey and other less-publicized sports, stressing that all sports deserve equal recognition.
“Sports is sports—whether it’s hockey, basketball, or football. They’re all played by our youth, our children. They deserve equal treatment and encouragement,” he concluded.
With his re-election, Engr. Nkom is set to continue steering Nigerian hockey towards greater achievements, with a focus on development, inclusivity, and international competitiveness.
