By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
ABUJA – Kaduna-based Kada Stars completed a remarkable unbeaten campaign to retain the 2026 National Hockey Super League title, while the National Sports Commission (NSC) reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to upgrading hockey infrastructure and strengthening domestic competitions.
Kada Stars sealed the championship with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Plateau Tigers in their final match on Saturday, capping an outstanding tournament in which they also defeated Southwest (4-0), IGP Flickers (8-0), Yobe Desert Rollers (6-0), Niger Flickers (5-0), Police Machine (5-1), Adamawa State (8-0) and Stallions (3-0).
Team captain Kelvin Linus credited the triumph to months of rigorous preparation and the squad’s unwavering belief.
“We trained very hard for this tournament. We also competed in Ghana, won the championship there and returned believing we would conquer Nigeria. There were moments of doubt during the competition, but we trusted ourselves, the coaches and the entire team. That belief made the difference,” he said.
Linus added that the team’s focus has now shifted to the African Club Championship, expressing confidence that Kada Stars can compete for continental honours.
Head coach Ndana Baba attributed the club’s success to its grassroots development programme, noting that the team has consistently produced players through its youth system rather than relying on expensive transfers.
“We came here to win. We didn’t come to draw or lose. Our players progressed from the Under-16, Under-18 and Under-21 teams into the senior squad. We don’t buy players; we produce them. That structure is delivering results,” Baba said.
He also called for greater international exposure for Nigerian players, saying local hockey is steadily closing the gap on Africa’s traditional powerhouses.
Police Machine finished as runners-up in the men’s competition. Director of Sports of the Nigeria Police Force, Deputy Commissioner of Police Osifo Emefile, commended his players for their performance and praised the improving standard of hockey in Nigeria.
At the closing ceremony in Abuja, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, congratulated the champions and applauded the Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF) for organizing what he described as a world-class domestic competition.
Dikko said the tournament aligns with the Commission’s vision of revitalising Nigerian sports by strengthening local competitions before targeting international success.
“We have to build our domestic sports first before thinking about international competitions. We have seen the quality of talent here, and experts from the African Hockey Federation and Germany have confirmed that Nigeria possesses players capable of competing at the highest level if given the right support,” he said.
The NSC chairman disclosed that the Federal Government has approved the rehabilitation of the national hockey pitch, which was built for the 2003 All Africa Games, with a modern playing surface that meets international standards.
According to him, discussions with the African Hockey Federation have already commenced, adding that the upgraded facility would position Nigeria to host major continental hockey tournaments.
He stressed that investment in sports infrastructure would improve athletes’ performances, create jobs, boost tourism and strengthen national unity.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports Development, Senator Abdul Ningi, commended the NHF for sustaining the Super League despite financial challenges and urged the Federal Government to diversify funding across all sports federations rather than focusing predominantly on football.
NHF President Simeon Nkom described the 2026 Super League as the federation’s most successful championship, citing the quality of competition and the presence of key stakeholders, including officials of the African Hockey Federation, sponsors, partners and the media.
Nkom also welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment to rehabilitating the national hockey pitch, saying the new facility would enable Nigeria to once again host major African hockey competitions.
In the women’s category, Kada Queens successfully defended their title with a 2-0 victory over Plateau Queens, completing a memorable championship for the Kaduna-based club.
