By Dorcas Francis Koji
Hockey has been left out of the zonal qualification programme for the 23rd National Sports Festival, tagged Enugu 2026, raising concerns over the sport’s absence from the forthcoming Games.
According to a letter dated August 24 and addressed to zonal coordinators, the Main Organising Committee said the zonal qualifiers would commence on September 12, 2026, across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
However, only five sports were listed for the qualification phase: basketball, cricket, football, volleyball and beach volleyball, with competitions scheduled for both male and female athletes.
Hockey and abula, which featured at the previous edition of the National Sports Festival in Ogun State, were omitted from the list.
The top two teams from each zonal competition will secure qualification for the corresponding events at the main festival in Enugu.
Facility Concerns Behind Hockey’s Exclusion
The exclusion of hockey is reportedly connected to concerns over the availability of a suitable facility in Enugu to host the sport.
There have also been reports that Delta State was considered as a possible alternative venue for hockey should organisers decide to retain the sport in the Games programme.
The development represents a significant change from the previous editions of the National Sports Festival, where hockey was among the sports contested.
National Sports Festival to Feature 20 Sports
The National Sports Commission had earlier confirmed that the Enugu 2026 National Sports Festival would feature 20 sports, a substantial reduction from the previous editions.
The last two editions featured 39 sports, including demonstration events.
Enugu State Commissioner for Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu, explained that the reduction was approved during the National Council of Sports meeting held in Calabar, Cross River State, last year.
According to him, the decision to streamline the number of sports was consistent with international sporting practices and was aimed at creating a more focused and manageable festival.
Enugu was selected to host the next National Sports Festival in November 2024, although the exact dates for the 2026 Games are yet to be officially announced.
With the zonal qualifiers approaching, attention will now turn to the five selected sports as athletes and teams begin preparations for their respective qualification battles.
The omission of hockey, however, leaves the sport facing an uncertain future at one of Nigeria’s biggest multi-sport competitions.
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