Sports
From Power Sector to Sports Icon, Engr. Ciroma Joseph Unveiled as KUGA 2025 Ambassador
By Joel Ajayi
As excitement mounts for the maiden edition of the Kingdom Unity Games Abuja (KUGA) 2025, organizers have officially unveiled Engineer Ciroma Joseph as the Ambassador of the faith-inspired sports event, bringing together his legacy in engineering with a passion for youth development through sports.
The Kingdom Unity Games, scheduled to take place from September 6–13, 2025, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, is a faith-based sporting initiative aimed at promoting peace, discipline, spiritual growth, and youth empowerment across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and neighboring states.
Though best known for his distinguished career in the engineering and power sector, Engr. Ciroma’s transformation into a respected voice in sports development underscores the multi-dimensional impact he continues to make.
“I’m truly honored to be associated with the 2025 Kingdom Unity Games,” he said during the official unveiling ceremony on Thursday in Abuja.
“Though I come from the power sector, I’ve always championed unity, peace, and youth development. Sports is one of the most powerful tools for achieving these goals. This event isn’t just about competition—it’s about connection, inclusion, and purpose.”
A seasoned international chess player and former Secretary of the Nigerian NEPA/PHCN Chess Association, Engr. Ciroma recalled his efforts in organizing chess tournaments that fostered camaraderie among staff from across Nigeria’s power sector generation, transmission, and distribution arms alike.
“Even as an engineer, I’ve always had a passion for sports and youth mentorship.
“We’ve moved from the analogue age into the digital era our youth must grow with the times. KUGA gives them a platform to express themselves, grow in discipline, and find meaningful direction.”
The brand new KUGA Ambassador, Engr. Ciroma called on communities across the FCT, Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi, and beyond to come out enmass to cheer the players: “This is a historic first edition, and how we begin will shape the legacy of KUGA.
“I will be personally reaching out to my networks to ensure strong participation at the opening, closing, and every activity in between.”
He also praised the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, the official venue, noting its capacity to host large-scale events and accommodate diverse audiences.
Engr. Ciroma thanked government for investing in sport urging them to keep investing in programs like KUGA adding that, Sports remain a powerful antidote to insecurity and youth restiveness.
Also speaking at the unveiling ceremony, the Convener of KUGA 2025 Ambassador Solomon Omonokhua emphasized that the event goes beyond athletics.
“KUGA is about discovery, unity, and purpose. We are focused on identifying talented youths within churches and across communities who might otherwise go unnoticed. This platform will expose them to scouts and professional opportunities—both locally and internationally.”
Ambassador Omonokhua further stressed the inclusive and interfaith nature of the Games.
“Although rooted in the Christian community, KUGA welcomes everyone Christians, Muslims, and others. It is a platform for national cohesion and collaboration through sport.”
However, the maiden edition will feature three core disciplines, all geared toward mass participation and talent discovery:
Football: 24 male teams representing churches from five major Christian blocs; Basketball: 16 teams—both male and female and Volleyball: 16 teams—male and female categories.
Ambassador Omonokhua concluded by reaffirming the organizing team’s commitment to delivering a world-class experience that blends faith, fun, and future-building for Nigeria’s youth.
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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