By Aderonke Ojo
The Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF) has announced that the men’s and women’s national teams will commence a six-week training camp in Abuja on August 24, ahead of the Hockey African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.
The tournament is scheduled to take place from October 11 to 18, 2025.
The Federation made the announcement during a virtual Board meeting held via Zoom on Tuesday.
Where NHF President, Engr. Simon Nkom, expressed gratitude to the Board members for their dedication and commitment, which has contributed to the growth and progress of hockey in Nigeria over the past four years.
He credited their efforts for the remarkable progress recorded in the sport.
“We could not have come this far as a Federation without the excellent and precise contributions and unwavering support of our Board members.
“ Hockey has indeed grown since we came on board, and today, we are proud of where we are. We will continue working hard to grow the sport further,” Nkom said.
A five-member committee has been inaugurated to review matters related to player transfers and athlete elections, with their findings expected to be presented at the Board’s next meeting.
During the meeting, the Board also confirmed that the National Super League will take place from November 1 to 9, 2025.
The national teams will begin their preparations on August 24 in Abuja, focusing on building teamwork and strategy for the AFCON tournament.
The 2025 AFCON will feature top hockey teams from Africa, with Nigeria aiming to make a strong impression and improve its global standing.
The NHF has also confirmed that the National Hockey Super League ( NHSL) will kick off on November 1 and run until November 9, 2025, providing a platform for players to showcase their skills.
The committee members included Samuel Fagunwa, Baba Ndana, Arthur Jumbo, Felix Geghor, Garko Bamidele.
The training camp and National Super League are crucial steps in Nigeria’s preparations for the AFCON tournament.
In 2021, the Nigeria Hockey Federation invited 60 players to a training camp in Abuja ahead of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.
The Africa Cup of Nations is a premier international hockey competition, featuring top teams from Africa.