The Chairman of the Kano State Hockey Association and Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF) Board Member representing the North-West Zone, Mr Ibrahim Sani, has commended the management of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), for including hockey in its recently concluded Inter-Faculty Games.
The Independent Mirror reports that Sani gave the commendation while attending the event as a specially invited guest. The competition attracted heads of departments (HODs), coaches from Kano, the head coach of BUK Hockey and his assistant, as well as other dignitaries and sports stakeholders.
In his remarks, Sani expressed appreciation to the university management for recognising the importance of hockey and providing students with an opportunity to participate in the sport.
He described the inclusion of hockey in the Inter-Faculty Games as a significant step towards promoting the sport, discovering emerging talents and strengthening grassroots hockey development in Kano State.
The association chairman also stressed the vital role of universities in sports development, noting that academic institutions provide platforms for young people to showcase their abilities, develop discipline, build teamwork and pursue sporting excellence.
Sani congratulated the Faculty of Education, which emerged as the winner of the competition, and the Faculty of Engineering, which finished as runner-up, for their impressive performances and display of sportsmanship.
He urged all participating players to remain committed to regular training, discipline and fair play, encouraging them to serve as worthy ambassadors of hockey wherever they go.
He further advised the players to uphold the values of respect, unity, teamwork and dedication both on and off the field.
Sani reaffirmed the Kano State Hockey Association’s commitment to collaborating with educational institutions, sports administrators, coaches and other stakeholders to promote the game and create more opportunities for young people to participate in hockey.
He expressed optimism that the continued inclusion of hockey in university sporting competitions would increase the sport’s popularity, identify promising players and contribute to the development of hockey in Kano State and Nigeria at large.
The Kano State Hockey Association also called on other tertiary institutions to emulate BUK by incorporating hockey into their sporting programmes as part of efforts to promote youth engagement, talent development and sustainable sports growth.
