Sports
Federal Government Reaffirms Support for Sports to Foster Peace, Unity, and Youth Engagement
By Joel Ajayi
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has restated the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to harnessing sports as a vital instrument for national unity and youth empowerment.
Speaking at the grand finale of the maiden edition of the 2024 Kingdom Unity Games at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Senator Akume—represented by his Senior Technical Advisor, Professor Bolaji Bernard—commended the organisers for initiating a timely and impactful project.
“On behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I wish to express our appreciation to the organisers of this remarkable event, especially Ambassador Solomon and the Chairman of the Kingdom Sports Centre, General Dimosa,” he said.
Professor Bernard noted that the initiative strongly aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has consistently demonstrated commitment to youth development through sports and other platforms that nurture talent and inspire hope.
“This initiative resonates with our national agenda. The President believes in empowering young people and fostering unity through strategic avenues like sports,” he added.
Citing recent sporting successes—including the Super Falcons, D’Tigress, and the “Survivors” who reached the finals of the 2024 African Cup—he attributed such achievements to the support of a responsive and visionary government.
He further stressed the importance of partnerships across government, corporate bodies, and NGOs to unlock the full potential of Nigerian youth.
“We fully support initiatives like this and encourage private individuals and organisations to contribute to youth and sports development. General Dimosa and the Kingdom Sports Stars team have shown remarkable passion and dedication,” he noted.
Sharing a personal touch, Professor Bernard admitted that the enthusiasm at the stadium was infectious:
He concluded by underlining the unifying spirit of sports:
“When it comes to sports, religion and ethnicity disappear—whether Muslim, Christian, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, or from any background—we come together as Nigerians. That is the true spirit we must preserve and promote.”
Speaking after the final, the convener of the Kingdom Unity Games, Ambassador Solomon Omonokhua, reiterated the vision behind the initiative. “This competition is about much more than football. It is about building bridges between churches, fostering peace and unity in the country, and most importantly, providing a platform for our youth to showcase their gifts. We are hopeful that some of the players here will catch the eye of scouts and clubs, and in turn, bring pride to Nigeria,” he said.
The Kingdom Unity Games, a grassroots sporting initiative, was conceived to promote national cohesion, engage young people, and empower communities through athletics and recreational activities.
On the final day, Team Dunamis FC made history as the first-ever champions of the tournament. They stunned ECWA Wumba with a goal from the opening kick and, despite intense pressure from their opponents, held firm to secure victory and lift the maiden trophy.
Earlier, ECWA Kwali clinched third place with a narrow 1–0 win over ECWA Karasana in a keenly contested playoff.
Organisers affirmed that beyond the football action, the Games represent a platform for peace-building, talent discovery, and the strengthening of bonds across faith groups and communities in Nigeria.
Sports
Nigeria Jets Out Tuesday for 2025 Hockey AFCON as Federation President Engr Nkom Backs Teams for Podium Finish
Joel Ajayi
With the 2025 Hockey African Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to take place in Egypt from October 11 to 18, both the men’s and women’s national hockey teams are set to depart Nigeria on October 7, brimming with confidence and determination to make the nation proud.
The President of the Hockey Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Engineer Simon Nkom, speaking after a series of friendly matches at the Hockey Pitch, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, said the teams’ early preparation and intensive training camps have positioned them for a successful outing in Egypt.
“In sports—whether it’s hockey, handball, or basketball—fitness is key. That’s why we began camping weeks ago to build the players’ strength and resilience ahead of this major competition. This is the African Cup of Nations—the highest level of hockey on the continent. We’ve prepared well, and I’m confident our teams will finish on the podium,” he stated.
Nkom highlighted the significant progress Nigerian hockey has recorded in recent years, noting that the country’s world ranking improved from 56th to 36th, while in Hockey 5s, Nigeria now stands 12th globally.
“A few years ago, people barely knew hockey existed in Nigeria. Today, our women’s team ranks 3rd in Africa, and the men’s team is 4th. This growth is a product of deliberate grassroots development and consistent effort,” he added.
To ensure smooth participation and avoid past challenges of late arrivals at tournaments, the federation has finalized logistics for early departure.
“We’ve made all arrangements for the teams to leave early to acclimatize and play friendly matches before the competition begins. The players are motivated, relaxed, and ready to give their best. By God’s grace, they will return home with their heads held high,” Nkom assured.
The HFN President also lauded the federation’s board members for their commitment and teamwork over the past four years, which he said has greatly contributed to the sport’s steady rise in Nigeria.
Head coach Ndana Baba Abdullahi, who oversees both the men’s and women’s teams, praised the federation’s support and lauded the players’ work ethic throughout the extended training camp.
“We’ve worked very hard — morning and evening sessions, tactical drills, conditioning. The players have responded excellently. We started with 35 players and are now down to the final 18 who will make the trip,” Abdullahi said, adding that the early arrival in Egypt would give Nigeria a crucial psychological and tactical edge.
Men’s team captain, Michael John, expressed confidence in the squad’s readiness and determination to make history in Egypt.
“We’re perfectly fine — we’ve trained hard and prepared well,” he said. “We’re just waiting for the whistle to blow. By God’s grace, we won’t disappoint our country or those who worked hard to send us there.”
Similarly, women’s team captain, Alfa Cornelius, echoed optimism about the team’s prospects.
“We’ve been camping for over a month, and the coaches have done a wonderful job. We’ve worked hard to match our opponents in both strength and skill. I’m 100% confident that we’ll perform excellently in Egypt,” she said.
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