By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
Kada Stars have once again underlined their dominance in Nigerian hockey, claiming a sixth consecutive National Hockey Super League title after completing an unbeaten campaign at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The Kaduna-based side sealed the 2026 championship with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Plateau Tigers on Saturday, finishing the season with a perfect record of eight wins from eight matches and 24 points. The triumph also marked their record-extending ninth league title.
Police Machine finished second on the table, while Plateau Tigers secured third place.
In the women’s category, Kada Queens completed a memorable double for Kaduna State by lifting the league trophy with 16 points. Plateau Queens finished runners-up, while Delta settled for third.
The latest success further cements Kaduna State’s status as Nigeria’s leading hockey powerhouse, with both teams continuing to benefit from sustained investment in grassroots development and elite competition.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, President of the Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF), Engr. Simon Nkom, described the 2026 edition as the most successful in the competition’s history.
“This championship and the closing ceremony are the best we have ever had. It is not just about the attendance, but the calibre of personalities who came to support Nigerian hockey,” Nkom said.
The NHF president also announced that the National Sports Commission (NSC), with the backing of the Federal Government, has approved the replacement of Nigeria’s ageing hockey pitch with a modern blue artificial turf that meets international standards.
According to him, the existing turf, installed for the 2003 All Africa Games, has served the country for more than two decades despite heavy usage.
“The new blue artificial turf will improve visibility for players, officials, spectators and television audiences while raising the standard of hockey in Nigeria,” he stated.
Nkom added that the facility upgrade forms part of the Federal Government’s broader commitment to modernising sports infrastructure across the country.
He also expressed confidence in the progress of Nigeria’s national hockey teams, noting that the era of heavy defeats to continental giants such as South Africa and Egypt is gradually fading.
“There was a time we lost 7-0, 9-0 or even 10-0, but today those teams know they have to fight to beat Nigeria. Our players are improving because they are adapting to modern playing surfaces and gaining more quality exposure,” he said.
The successful conclusion of the 2026 National Hockey Super League not only reaffirmed Kada Stars’ supremacy but also highlighted the growing optimism surrounding the future of hockey in Nigeria as the sport prepares for a new era with improved infrastructure and rising competitiveness.
