Sports
NSF Zonal Elimination: Imo state shows dominance as South East Zonal Elimination for Gateways
The battle for places in team Sports for the 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun state, has been concluded in the South East Zonal Elimination held in Enugu state.
The Coal city of Enugu was agog with sporting activities for the past few days with athletes in the region jostling for honour, pride and dignity in the various Team Sports.
Imo state showed their sporting dominance in the region by picking nine qualification slots, the highest among the five participating States.
Imo picked the two available slots in Men and Women Handball Abula while in Men’s Basketball, Imo state picked one of the two available slots alongside Enugu.The women’s slot went to Anambra and Ebonyi states.
In Men’s Volleyball, Imo also finished first while the second qualification slot went to Host state, Enugu and In the women’s Category Anambra and Abia picked the two available tickets.
In Beach Volleyball, Imo and Abia secured the two slots for the Sports Festival in the Men’s Category while for the Women, Anambra and Abia will represent the region in Ogun State.
In Men’s Cricket, Imo and Anambra are the two qualified States and Ebonyi and Abia will also be at the festival but in the Women’s category.
In Handball, Enugu and Anambra states will be at the Festival in the Men’s Category while for the Women, Imo and Abia qualified to represent the region at the Games.
And finally in Football, in the Men’s category Imo and Ebonyi are the two qualified Teams while Enugu and Abia states picked the two available slots in the Women’s category.
The Director of Sports Festival and Para-sports at the National Sports Commission, NSC, Mrs Tecla Opara who was on ground to monitor proceedings praised the current leadership of the Commission for ensuring all the zones had a hitch-free competition, especially in terms of financial support.
” The current leadership of the NSC of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade is very intentional about revamping the Country’s sports and that is why serious attention was put into the zonal eliminations this time around, which is a clear departure from how things used to be in the past “.
” I must thank them and We are all now looking forward to a very successful Sports Festival in Ogun State in May this year , where both the State and the National Sports Commission, are determined to stage one of the best organised Festivals in the history of the Games “, she concluded.
Meanwhile the South East Zonal Coordinator of the NSC, Ben Ezema thanked all the participating states for their cooperation throughout the competition while assuring them that the Commission will improve on the organisation of future Eliminations.
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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