2023 Hockey Super League Commences in Grand style in Abuja

Published

3 years ago

July 31, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The 2023 edition of the Nigeria Hockey Federation NHF Super League kicked off with great excitement, fun at Hockey Turf inside Package B of Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja on Saturday.

With the timbers and calibres in the Hockey sports personality all present, as fans at the hockey were thrilled to an exciting performance by both teams displayed.

The 2022 Champions, Kada Stars of Kaduna thrashes Plateau Tigers 3-0 ongoing 2023 Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF) Super League.

However, the Super League, which started on Saturday is expected to end Aug.5 ,

The defending champions appeared more determined and relaxed as both teams started the first quarter on a cautious note with several attempts as the match progressed.

Solomon Dennis of Kada stars opened scoring at a close range in the 26th minute through a field goal.

In the 52th minute, Kada Stars players displaying a high level of play in the match , utilising the lead by James Samalia through a penalty corner inside the net to make it 2-0.

While Samalia struck had to strengthen in their lead five minute later in the penalty corner to lead 3-0.

In the men’s category of the competition games , IGP Flickers beat Edo team 1-0 , Delta Force flog Adamawa team 6-0, and police machine beat Niger Flickers 1-0.

Speaking after the match,Abubakar Ndana the team Manager of Kada Stars, said that he was highly disappointed with the match played today.

He said that looking at the Kada Stars standards with their exposure I expected them to flog their opponent about seven to none.

He said that the team still maintain their old player’s, it’s been over four years we have been making use of these player’s.

Meanwhile, the total of 20 teams are participating in the Super League, with nine of them in the women’s category and the rest in the men’s category.

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SWAN President Calls for Gender-Fair Reporting in Sports Journalism

Published

9 hours ago

October 26, 2026

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

The President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Isaiah Kemje Benjamin, has urged sports journalists to eliminate gender stereotypes and bias in their reports to promote fairness, inclusion and greater visibility for women in sports.

Benjamin made the call on Monday in Abuja while delivering a presentation titled “Gender-Sensitive Journalism: Removing Gender Stereotypes and Bias in Sports Reporting” at the Annual Women in Sports Leadership Training/Seminar for Journalists, organised by the Women Commission of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).

He said sports journalists play a critical role in shaping public opinion, influencing athletes’ visibility and determining which achievements receive recognition, sponsorship and investment.

According to him, the way the media reports women in sports can either reinforce existing barriers or help dismantle them.

Benjamin explained that gender-sensitive journalism requires fairness, accuracy, equality and inclusion, stressing that it does not mean giving female athletes favourable coverage or shielding them from legitimate criticism.

He identified common forms of bias in sports reporting, including giving men’s competitions greater prominence, focusing on female athletes’ appearance rather than performance, defining women by their marital or family status, and questioning their competence in leadership positions.

The SWAN president urged journalists to adopt respectful language, apply consistent professional standards and extend coverage beyond national teams to domestic leagues, grassroots competitions, female coaches, referees and sports administrators.

Using Nigeria’s sporting landscape as an example, he said the achievements of the Super Falcons deserved sustained analysis beyond match results, including discussions on investment, player development, professional leagues and grassroots structures.

He also noted that digital platforms offered opportunities to expand coverage of women’s sports but warned journalists against sensationalism, online harassment and sexist commentary.

Benjamin proposed seven measures, including gender-sensitive editorial guidelines, regular coverage audits, diversified sources, professional development, stronger grassroots reporting and measurable progress.

He called on SWAN to collaborate with the NOC, sports federations, leagues and clubs to improve access to information and strengthen women’s visibility in sports.

He urged journalists to ensure that athletes are judged by their performances and achievements rather than gender stereotypes.

“Gender-sensitive journalism must be fair, not favourable,” he said, emphasising that responsibility for change rests with reporters, editors, broadcasters, photographers and digital publishers.

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