2026 National Hockey Super League Kicks Off in Abuja

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

It was a thrilling atmosphere on Saturday at the Hockey Pitch of 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 1 to 9, brings together the best of Nigerian hockey — with 13 men’s teams and 8 women’s teams from across the federation competing for national glory in what has become the country’s most prestigious hockey tournament.

The opening day delivered many goals and entertainment for the fans. In the men’s category, Police Machine dominated IGP Flickers with a commanding 9–1 victory, while Kada Stars dismantled Adamawa in a stunning 13–0 rout.

Elsewhere, Plateau edged Ekiti 1–0 in a tightly contested duel, and Niger Flickers showcased their firepower with a resounding 10–0 win over Team Katsina.

Speaking during the colorful opening ceremony, Simon Nkom, President of the Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF), expressed deep satisfaction at the successful start of the competition, describing it as “a proud moment and a new dawn for the sport in Nigeria.”

“We are here to witness a national event we hold in very high esteem. The turnout, organization, and enthusiasm have been tremendous. This marks an important step toward repositioning hockey in Nigeria,” Nkom said.

He praised the media, sports enthusiasts, and the entire hockey community for their unwavering support, noting that the timing of the Super League could not have been better — coming just months after Nigeria’s historic bronze medal finish at the 2025 African Cup of Nations.

“This is a great way to round off the year — uniting teams from across the country, returning to our grassroots, and continuing to build the foundation for sustainable hockey development,” he added.

Also speaking, Tournament Director, Mr. Falore Olajuyigbe, confirmed that this year’s edition features 14 men’s teams (an update from earlier listings) and 8 women’s teams, with the event scheduled to end on November 8, followed by team departures on the 9th.

Olajuyigbe described the atmosphere at the stadium as electric, commending the standard of play and fan engagement so far.

“It’s been highly entertaining. The attendance has been encouraging, and the level of competition impressive. Most of the matches have been closely contested, and the overall standard has improved compared to previous editions,” he said.