To ensure that they excel at the 18th National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012, the Lagos State hockey team has intensified its training ahead of the tournament in November.
? With the conclusion of a two-day championship, the Technical Director of the Lagos State Hockey Association, Ayo Ladeinde, said that the target of the team is to win gold medal in both the male and female categories.
? “Our players are hardworking, dedicated and in high spirit to win gold at the festival. So far, we are 70 per cent ready for the festival in terms of preparation as it concerns the players’ skills, teamwork and training. What the players need now is encouragement and Lagos State Government is trying in that regard. The coaches, technical crew and other personnel in the Lagos State Hockey Association is working round the clock to make sure that we clear the two gold medals in Hockey come November.
? For the Chairman of the association, Tunde Popoola, the championship was organised to prepare the players ahead of the festival and also to develop the game at inter-club level in line with the policy of the state government.
? He commended Governor Babatunde Fashola for releasing fund for all the sports association in the state meant for organizing competitions in their various sports.
? Four male clubs, which were Team Lagos Hockey, Union Bank Hockey, Police Hockey Club and Dynamic Hockey Club, participated in the championship, while two teams made up of Team Lagos Hockey and 90 Degree Hockey Club competed in the female category.
? In the female category, Team Lagos won the championship with four points ahead of 90 Degree Club.
? The winners in both the male and female category carted away trophies and cash prize while the last club in the male category, which was Dynamic Hockey Club, received sets of hockey stick.