Sports

Nigerian Football Needs Serious Help-FCT FA Chairman

Published

5 years ago

July 8, 2020

Joel Ajayi

The Chairman of FCT Football Association Alhaji Abba Mohammed Mouktar has opined that Nigeria football is currently in a bad state and need serious help.

The FA boss who was a Guest at the FCT Football Update WhatsApp Personality Interview segment said the present state of football in the country is bad. He said that every football stakeholder needs to do more to get it to an enviable position it should be.

According to him, I can tell you that we are not where we should be. Our state is bad. Our football needs help, we need to work more, and the government needs to invest more resources into football as a social development, which is critical to national development.

The FA boss said the major problem of football development in the country is the none availability of standardized blueprint of lay down steps of the developmental steps of the game in the country.

“As long as we don’t have that, football cannot grow in the country. We need to see football as an integral part of the social development, and a contributor to the Gross National Development Plan (GDP). It’s just because of this that we have refused to grow. We need to change our mindset and include sports generally in the plan for the National Development Plan 2050. Sports must be in the forefront, and must take its rightful place in the country.”

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Sports

Thrills as 2026 National Hockey Super League Opens in Abuja — NHF President Promises Greater Innovation

Published

5 hours ago

November 1, 2025

The Gleamer

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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