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The Edo State Hockey Association, under the leadership of Dr. Walter Imoedemhe, is gearing up to host an exciting one-day Youth Hockey Fiesta this Saturday at the St. Maria Goretti College hockey stadium in Benin City. The event promises to be a celebration of hockey talent, featuring prominent schools such as St. Maria Goretti College, Benin; Niger College, Benin; Idia College, Benin; and Our Lady of Fatima College, Auchi.
In addition to competitive matches among the youth teams, the fiesta will also include veteran masters matches showcasing the skills of the Edo Hockey Masters (both male and female), Goretti Old Girls, and teams from the University of Benin (UNIBEN).
A notable highlight of the occasion will be the generous donation from the Old Girls Association, who will be presenting 30 sticks, 30 balls, 32 jerseys, and goalkeeper kits to students of St. Maria Goretti College. This gesture aims to support and encourage young hockey enthusiasts by providing them with essential equipment for their training and matches.
The tournament marks a significant milestone in the association’s efforts to foster the development of hockey in pilot schools across Edo State. This initiative began with the establishment of hockey centers in these schools, each equipped with dedicated coaches from the Edo State Sports Commission. The Youth Hockey Fiesta serves as a platform to assess the progress achieved over the past year and to celebrate the dedication and talent of the young athletes involved.
Dr. Imoedemhe expressed gratitude to the association members for their unwavering commitment to fulfilling promises made to the athletes. Despite facing challenges with government support, he acknowledged the crucial backing received from corporate sponsors such as Setraco Nigeria Ltd, Amobi Engineering, and Estymol Oil and Gas, in collaboration with the Edo State Sports Commission.
Looking ahead, Dr. Imoedemhe emphasized the association’s hope for government assistance in repairing dilapidated training facilities, providing employment opportunities for program athletes in hockey, and sponsoring the state team for the upcoming national league in Kaduna scheduled for July 29th. These steps are crucial to sustaining and enhancing the growth of hockey in Edo State and beyond.
