Hockey Excluded from 23rd National Sports Festival as Enugu Hosts 2026 Edition

Hockey will not be part of the sports to be featured at the 23rd National Sports Festival scheduled to take place in Enugu later this year.

The National Sports Commission (NSC), in a letter released yesterday, listed the team sports that will participate in the zonal elimination series ahead of the festival. The sports listed are football, basketball, volleyball, beach volleyball, and cricket, with hockey notably absent from the list.

Hockey was among the sports contested at the last edition of the National Sports Festival, held in Ogun State in 2025, where athletes from different states competed for honours in the sport.

Reports suggest that the exclusion of hockey may be linked to the lack of suitable facilities in Enugu to host the competition. However, no official reason has been given by the National Sports Commission for the decision to leave hockey out of the festival.

The development has reportedly generated concerns and disappointment within the hockey community, with stakeholders questioning the decision to remove one of Nigeria’s established sporting disciplines from the country’s biggest multi-sport event.

The exclusion is also expected to raise concerns among hockey players, coaches, and administrators who see the National Sports Festival as an important platform for talent discovery, grassroots development, and preparation for national and international competitions.

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Muftau Adewale

Ganiyu Muftau Adewale is a versatile Nigerian journalist with extensive experience in media, digital communication, and content development.

Passionate about impactful storytelling, he is committed to delivering accurate, engaging, and insightful reports across diverse areas of public interest.

Over the years, he has built a strong reputation for professionalism, creativity, and consistency in journalism. His expertise spans news reporting, media coverage, digital content creation, and strategic public communication, positioning him as a respected and influential voice in the media landscape.

Driven by a dedication to informing, educating, and connecting audiences, Adewale continues to contribute meaningfully to the growth of journalism and digital media in Nigeria.

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