The Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF) on Monday received a support of 29, 500 dollars from the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to develop the game in the country.
President NHF, Senator Abdul Ningi, who disclosed this in Abuja, said the money was part of the benefit from the Olympics solidarity sports development assistance programme.
Ningi, who was represented by the NHF Director of Technical, Ediga Abgo, said the money would be used to train its players and coaches under the FIH organised programmes.
He applauded the NOC for choosing hockey as one of the sports to benefit from the project noting that the money received would go a long way to change the game in Nigeria.
Ningi who said the training is aimed at creating a unique playing pattern for hockey in Nigeria, noted that the training would be anchored by Nadeem Bhatti, an FIH trainee from Pakistani.
He expressed the optimism that the coming of Bhatti to the country would take the game of hockey to the next level of development.
“The expert will create for us a national coaching structure so that we can have a proper level one, two and three coaching structure.
“He will depart after the three weeks and return after a month and half for another three-week programme,’’ he said.
Habu Gumel, President, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), told newsmen at a programme in Abuja that a, Nadeem Bhatti, an International Hockey Federation (FIH) trainee from Pakistani would anchor the training.
Gumel said that the training was being organised by the NOC in conjunction with FIH.
According to him, the training organised as an Olympic solidarity project is also aim at developing few other sports at the grassroots.
“I assure you that the training will go a long way to boost the ranking of Nigeria’s performance in hockey in the continent and beyond,’’ he said.
Gumel appealed to the private sectors to support sports development at all level.
Bhatti, who was unveiled at the conference, assured that he would build a sustainable playing pattern for the NHF to develop future champions.
He commended the individual talents exhibited among the Nigeria hockey players, especially the techniques and strength they possess.
Bhatti will train hockey coaches and players in preparation for the forthcoming World Hockey League Round One.