NHF President, Board Congratulate Prof. Ediga Agbo on Sultan Azlan Shah Award
Oru Leonard
The President of the Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF), Engineer Simon Nkom, alongside members of the federation’s board, has congratulated Professor Ediga Agbo on receiving the prestigious Sultan Azlan Shah Award in recognition of his contributions to hockey development in Nigeria.
The recognition coincides with the ongoing 50th International Hockey Federation (FIH) Congress in Doha, Qatar, which has attracted representatives from 112 National Associations to deliberate on the growth, development and future of hockey globally.
Nigeria’s delegation, led by Nkom and members of the NHF board, is participating in the congress as part of efforts to strengthen international partnerships, promote knowledge exchange and explore opportunities to advance hockey development in the country.
Reacting to Professor Agbo’s recognition, Nkom praised his dedication to the sport, particularly his commitment to mentoring young umpires and improving the quality of officiating in Nigeria.
The NHF president also expressed appreciation to the international hockey community for acknowledging Agbo’s contributions, describing the honour as a source of pride for Nigerian hockey.
“Professor Ediga Agbo’s recognition is a proud moment for Nigerian hockey. His commitment to developing the game, particularly through mentoring young umpires, deserves commendation. We appreciate the hockey community for recognising his contributions, and we hope this honour will inspire more stakeholders to invest in the growth of hockey in Nigeria,” Nkom said.
In his response, Professor Agbo expressed gratitude to the international hockey community for the honour, describing it as a motivation to sustain his efforts towards developing the sport, especially in the area of umpire training and mentorship.
He acknowledged the support of the Nigeria Hockey Federation, fellow officials and other stakeholders whose contributions have helped advance his involvement in the game.
“I am deeply grateful to the hockey community for this recognition. I see this award as an encouragement to continue contributing to hockey development in Nigeria, particularly through mentoring young umpires and sharing knowledge with the next generation of officials. I appreciate the Nigeria Hockey Federation, my colleagues and everyone who has supported the growth of the game,” Agbo stated.
The award underscores the importance of sustained commitment, mentorship and capacity building in strengthening hockey administration and officiating in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s participation in the 50th FIH Congress provides an avenue for the country to deepen relationships with international hockey stakeholders, exchange ideas and explore strategic collaborations that could improve the standard of the game and expand its reach nationwide.
The NHF leadership expressed optimism that the recognition of Professor Agbo, alongside Nigeria’s participation in the international gathering, would further encourage stakeholders to support grassroots development, nurture emerging officials and strengthen the country’s position within the global hockey community.
