Simon Nkom, the President, Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF) says the federation will focus on the grassroots to hunt for budding talents to develop the sport in the country.

Mr Nkom stated this in an interview on Friday in Abuja, saying, “We will focus on the grassroots to hunt for budding talents and in the shortest possible time, Nigerian hockey would be lifted to the level that we all desire.”

He said that Nigeria was on the right path towards reclaiming its position in the sport on the continent and in the world at large, noting that the recent achievements by team Nigeria at the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ghana, was proof the future of the sport was bright.

Recall that the Nigeria men’s Hockey team moved from 75th to 46th position in the world but remained fourth in Africa after South Africa, Egypt and Ghana.

While their women counterparts moved from 58th position to 37th in the world, but remained fourth in Africa after South Africa, Ghana and Kenya.

The president noted that the feat was the beginning of better things to come for the sport, adding that the new board would continue to build on the achievements.

“First, we want to thank the ministry for their support. We are very proud of what we achieved in Ghana and the board and I are committed to building and improving on this successes.

 “I love this sport and together with the new hockey board members and other stake holders we will take  hockey to the top.

“We have mapped out programmes that we will pursue vigorously for accelerated development of the game.

“It is our fervent hope that at the end, we would have achieved more than the other federations that started before us,” he said.

(NAN)