Sports
FCT Kung Fu Association Chairman, Mubdiyu Adebayo, Vows to Prioritize Sport’s Visibility
By Joel Ajayi
Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Kung Fu Association, Mustapha Mubdiyu Adebayo, has reaffirmed his commitment to giving the sport more visibility across Abuja and beyond.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja at the weekend, Adebayo, a professional town planner, said his administration’s top priority is to ensure Kung Fu gains recognition through grassroots development, schools, and community engagement.
“If you ask many people about Kung Fu, they will tell you they don’t know it or have never seen it practiced. My vision is to change that. Visibility means involving more people, which is why we are reaching out to schools and the private sector,” he said.
Despite challenges such as inadequate training equipment and limited facilities, Adebayo believes the sport has already shown great potential. He recalled that during the last National Sports Festival, only four athletes represented the FCT in Kung Fu — and all returned with medals.
“If four athletes could win medals, imagine what would happen if we had more participants. That is why our focus is on the youth. The earlier young people get involved, the faster the sport will grow,” he noted.
To actualize this vision, the association is working with the FCT School Sports Committee to integrate Kung Fu into school competitions. The first-ever inter-school championship is scheduled for the first quarter of next year.
Adebayo also revealed that beyond institutional efforts, he has personally supported athletes, from catering for their welfare during the last festival to providing equipment ahead of the National Youth Games.
On concerns that martial arts may promote violence, he explained that Kung Fu does the opposite, emphasizing discipline, self-control, and confidence.
“The world is becoming more violent every day. Parents should see martial arts as giving children confidence and basic self-defence skills, not as a tool for violence,” he stressed.
He further called for private sector involvement in Kung Fu’s development, while urging strategic partnerships that will be mutually beneficial to both sponsors and the sport.
Looking ahead, Adebayo outlined short- and long-term targets for the association. While the immediate focus is grassroots participation and visibility, the ultimate goal is to see Nigeria compete strongly on the continental and global stage, including the Olympics.
“For now, the target is grassroots participation and visibility. The long-term dream is medals for Nigeria,” he concluded.
With the planned school championship set to kick off next year, the FCT Kung Fu Association is positioning itself to expand the sport’s reach and secure its place in Nigeria’s sporting landscape.
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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