Sports
Niger Flickers Win 3rd Hockey Super League Title
Defending champions Niger Flickers of Minna, last Saturday, in Abuja, emerged champions of the male competition of the 2017 Hockey Super League, making it three consecutive wins.
Tidessports source gathered that Niger Flickers, winners in 2015 and 2016, were once again winners with a 1-0 defeat of Police Machine of Kaduna.
In this final match played at the National Stadium’s astro-turf pitch, the defending champions did not find it easy however in this very cagey affair.
Niger Flickers came into the final with a perfect winning record having won all their six matches in the league phase, while Police Machine won three, drew two and lost one.
The only defeat for Police Machine, who came second behind Niger Flickers in the league phase, was a humiliating 4-0 defeat against the defending champions.
Police Machine this time around showed persistence, as well as fortitude, grit and resoluteness, in charging at the defending champions and holding them back.
Niger Flickers, however, maintained their calm in a nervy and tight contest, before scoring through a powerful field goal by Umar Danladi in the 42nd minute.
According to our source, the classification match for third and fourth places played earlier, Kada Stars of Kaduna, defeated Yobe Desert Rollers of Damaturu 3-1 to place third.
Also, in the classification match for fifth and sixth places played early in the day, Union Bank of Lagos beat IGP Flickers of Kaduna 2-1 to finish fifth.
Riv Kings of Port Harcourt finished seventh and last in the seven-team competition, after only one point from one draw in six matches and scoring two goals and conceding 13.
In the individual awards at the competition, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award (male category) went to Adamu Kolo of Niger Flickers.
Kada Queens’ Folarin Adeyemo, was the MVP of the female category.
Niger Flickers’ Benard Wilson, won the highest goal scorer award with seven goals, while Bomoya Idirigo of Kada Stars was the female’s highest goal scorer with five goals.
Baba Abdulkadir of Niger Flickers and Komi Kumi of Kada Stars scooped the best goalkeeper awards in the male and female categories, after conceding only a goal each.
The Most Improved Player awards of the male and female categories went to Kada Stars’ Victor Kish and Itua Adagboyin of Plateau Queens respectively.
The youngest player awards in the male and female categories were won by Peter John of Kada Stars and Ruth Linus of Kada Queens respectively.
Also, the fair play awards were given to Kada Stars (male) and Benue Amazons (female) respectively.
Meanwhile, the final match and closing ceremony were graced by dignitaries such as the Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, and the Governor of Niger State Sani Bello.
They helped to hand out the prizes to the winners, alongside Abdul Ningi, the re-elected President of the Nigeria Hockey Federation, among others.
The league had begun on July 8 with 14 teams, seven each in the male and female categories, with the El-Kanemi Flickers of Maiduguri notable absentees.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.