Sports
HFN President Promises Bigger, Better Edition of Super Hockey League
Joel Ajayi
The President of the Hockey Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Engr. Obadiah Simon Nkom, has assured stakeholders and fans of a more exciting and innovative edition of the 2025 Hockey Super League.
Speaking to the media on Monday in Abuja, Nkom highlighted the strides the federation is making to develop the sport across the country, with the Super League being one of its flagship competitions.
“The Super League is a premier domestic tournament that brings together the top male and female hockey teams from across Nigeria,” Nkom said. “It’s a prestigious platform where elite teams compete for national honours, and it also serves as a qualifier for the Africa Club Championship.
Nkom noted that while the Super League has grown in reputation over the years, the 2025 edition will come with renewed energy and innovations aimed at raising its standards.
“We are learning from past editions, correcting our mistakes, and introducing new ideas to make this year’s tournament one of the best we’ve ever had. Hockey in Nigeria is growing, and this league is central to that growth,” he explained.
Although initially scheduled to hold next month, the 2025 Super League has been rescheduled to September to avoid a clash with the National Youth Games.
“The Youth Games will end in late September, and we had to make adjustments to ensure we don’t compromise the quality of either event. Despite the shift, our board and organizing team are fully prepared. We remain committed to delivering a top-tier competition.”
Nkom emphasized that the federation takes the Super League very seriously, not just as a competition but as a strategic tool for talent development and international representation.
“We want a tournament that will reflect the progress of Nigerian hockey, and we are confident this year’s edition will do just that,” he added.
Sports
FCT FA Board Member Urges Grassroots Reform, Hopeful For Super Eagles World Cup Qualification
Legal Practitioner And Administrator Barr Bucknor Threatens To Petition FCT Minister Over Abandoned Stadiums
Despite Nigeria’s precarious position in the race for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Barrister Babatunde Burknor, a board member of the FCT Football Association (FA), remains hopeful that the Super Eagles can still secure qualification.
Nigeria currently sits third in their qualification group with 11 points from 8 matches, trailing Benin Republic and South Africa, who both lead with 14 points. Yet Burknor, a seasoned football administrator and grassroots sports advocate, believes all is not lost.
In a recent interview made available to BSN Sports, Burknor said: “Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may appear almost impossible, but that doesn’t mean it is out of reach. The situation is tough, yes, but looking at the quality of players in our squad, I still believe we can make it.”
He added that unexpected results from other group rivals could work in Nigeria’s favour.
“Football is unpredictable. There is still a chance that South Africa, Benin Republic, or Rwanda could drop points. If we win our remaining two games, we still stand a chance. Sometimes football reflects life where the strong may fall while the seemingly weak stand tall.”
Calls for Grassroots Reform in the FCT
Beyond national team concerns, Burknor also used the opportunity to address the state of sports development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urging the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to take concrete action to revamp local infrastructure.
“We have deep-rooted problems when it comes to grassroots sports. The major issue is a lack of funding and commitment from those charged with driving development at that level,” he said.
Burknor lamented the disappearance of once-thriving youth competitions like the Chairman’s Cup, Principal’s Cup, and Shell Cup, stating that such events played a crucial role in identifying and nurturing young talent.
“It’s disheartening that these programs are no longer active. Development is impossible without facilities, yet we lack even basic training grounds.”
The legal luminary revealed that he personally upgraded the sports facility at a government secondary school in his area to serve as a makeshift training centre, due to the absence of a functioning local stadium.
He is currently drafting a petition to Minister Wike, over abandoned stadiums in FCT, urging a comprehensive audit of officials responsible for sports development across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
Progress in Gwagwalada Football Development
As Vice Chairman of the Gwagwalada Football Council, Burknor highlighted the success of the Gwagwalada Football League, which has become a model for other Area Councils.
“In just two years, we’ve turned the Gwagwalada Football League into a success story. Several players from the league have already secured contracts in Europe. This shows what can be achieved with vision and consistency.”
Barrister Burknor, emphasized that grassroots football holds the key to Nigeria’s long-term football success and must be taken seriously.
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