Sports
BSFA Chairman Rewards Victorious Lobi U-19 Team with ₦700,000 Cash Gift
The Chairman of Benue State Football Association (BSFA), Chief Dr. Paul Edeh Esq, has rewarded Lobi Stars U-19 team who finished tops at the just concluded U19 tournament in Abia State.
The Lobi Stars young team who represented Benue State leapfrogged their counterparts from Abia, Enugu, Rivers States to place best in their group.
Thereafter, they qualified for the Super 6 expected to be staged in Benue State in days ahead.
Announcing the cash rewards, Chief Edeh immediately gave the players N500, 000, while their coaches got N200, 000.
While eulogisiing the team, the Benue FA Chairman who is known for his philanthropic gestures and football administrator par excellence said, “Moving forward, the efforts that the board of the Benue Football Association has made is to ensure that we pay particular attention to the coaches especially, those that serve within the academy level.
“Having said that, let me acknowledge that it’s the efforts of these academies and coaches that gave Lobi Stars these set of young lads that went to Abia and topped their group and qualified for the Super 6 .
“Every boy who is here was discovered from an academy, either in Markurdi or Oturkpo or across the state.”
Chief Edeh urged the academies to always make their players available to Lobi Stars even at the senior team level, just as he charged the club’s management to reciprocate with necessary payments to the players and academies.
On his part, the Chairman of Lobi Stars FC, Dr. Philip Nongu, who doubles as the Acting Commissioner, Benue State Ministry of Youth, Sports and Creativity, assured of willingness to keep their own side of the bargain while appealing for cooperation by the academies.
Recalling how the U-19 team was formed, Dr. Nongu said, “When we got request for that championship, it was four days to the commencement and I told the coaches, can they please release their players so that they will represent the state at Umuahia and they said yes.
“And they went and made us proud, because of their determination and discipline, we’re proud of them.”
He appealed for all in Benue State and beyond to rally round Lobi Stars as they rebuild to relaunch at the zenith level, adding, “Lobi Stars belongs to the whole State. It doesn’t belong to Philip Nongu. The team belongs to the whole state so, please let us join hands, now that we’re starting afresh and the sky is not the limit for Lobi Stars football club by the grace of God.”
Sports
Thrills as 2026 National Hockey Super League Opens in Abuja — NHF President Promises Greater Innovation
Cyril Ogar
The atmosphere was electric on Saturday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, as the 2026 National Hockey Super League officially kicked off in grand style.
The championship, which runs from November 1st to 9th, features 13 male and 8 female teams from across the country competing for supremacy in Nigeria’s top-tier hockey competition.
In the opening fixtures, Police Machine dominated IGP Flickers 9–1, Kada Stars overwhelmed Adamawa 13–0, Plateau edged Ekiti 1–0, while Niger Flickers crushed Team Katsina 10–0.
Speaking at the ceremony, President of the Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF), Engr. Simon Nkom, expressed satisfaction with the smooth start, describing the league as a key milestone in the Federation’s renewed drive to strengthen grassroots hockey and promote national development of the sport.
“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. “It’s a great way to end the year, return to our grassroots, and continue developing the game.”
Nkom, who also serves as an Executive Member of the African Hockey Federation Board, assured that the Federation will sustain its current momentum and introduce more innovations in 2027 to further elevate Nigerian hockey both locally and internationally.
“Our focus remains on building a strong foundation for our players and promoting discipline, teamwork, and fair play,” he added.
“Beyond monetary rewards, the experience gained here is invaluable. We will continue to recognize excellence through awards for Best Player, Best Goalkeeper, Youngest Player, and Most Disciplined Team.”
The Tournament Director, Mr. Falore Olajuyigbe, confirmed that the league will run for one week, ending on November 8th, with teams departing the following day. He praised the level of play and organization so far.
“The matches have been exciting and competitive. Attendance has been encouraging, and we’re confident that the quality of play will keep improving,” Olajuyigbe said.
He added that the tournament is benefitting from lessons learned during Nigeria’s participation in the African Club Championship in Ismailia, Egypt, noting that two Nigerian umpires who officiated at that continental event are also part of the officiating crew in Abuja.
As the 2026 National Hockey Super League unfolds, excitement continues to build among fans and players alike, with Abuja firmly at the center of Nigeria’s hockey action.
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