Hockey Boss Canvasses Beginner Programmes

The President of Nigeria hockey federation, Mr. Patrick Ukah, wants state associations to start beginner programmes to boost the game.

He told reporters in Port Harcourt yesterday that Nigeria has four of the five astro turf hockey turfs in West Africa.

The other turfs,he said were in South Africa and some in North African countries.

“The  idea is to start getting hockey players at young ages from our various states. If they start early, they will get used to playing in astro hockey fields, which is one of the best in the world,’’ he said.

Ukah said the federation would approach wealthy Nigerians and corporate bodies to sponsor national hockey tournaments in the country.

He said the synthetic hockey fields in the country would boost the game

“Coming to hockey,every aspect benefitted. In Nigeria today, we have two astro turf pitches in Abuja,we have one in Kaduna ,we have one in Yobe.

“By the grace of God ,Rivers has just added another synthetic pitch in Nigeria, a full compliment of a mini hockey stadium.

“And I am telling you for Nigerian hockey, it is a big plus . Though it is sand based, but how many do we have in the whole of west Africa, you will be shocked to hear it is only five we have in the whole of west Africa,

“Four in Nigeria, one in Ghana. The rest are concentrated in South Africa and the rest in Egypt.’’ He said.

Ukah said the federation would hold post national festival tournaments to keep the tempo and attract more young players.

He said state associations had the task of encouraging more players to play the game and get used to playing in synthetic pitches.

He said the federation would approach corporate bodies for sponsorship because it wants to use the new mini hockey stadium at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Sports Complex in Rivers State for two major national tournaments.