Hockey league: Edo returns after nine-year absence

<p>Edo State’s men’s hockey team on Saturday made a losing return to the National Hockey League following a nine-year absence, after Police Machine triumphed over them 1-0 in their opening match at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.</p>, <p>Edo teams have been conspicuously absent from the event, but Patron, Edo State Hockey Association, Abu Inu Umoru, played a major role in Edo’s return to action by funding both teams’ camping, preparations and participation in the league.</p>, <p>Inu Umoru, the CEO, Hartland Group of Companies, played hockey while schooling at Our Lady of Fatima College, Auchi.</p>, <p>Hockey in Edo State has witnessed a positive turnaround following the inauguration of the Dr Walter Imoedemhe-led Edo State Hockey Association board in April by Governor Godwin Obaseki.</p>, <p>EDSHA, in line with the state government’s developmental efforts, has opened four hockey centres in the state, with the first Edo Quadrangular Championship planned for September in Benin City.</p>, <p>“We recognise government cannot do all alone. Hence our efforts to seek support from partners. More importantly, we also recognise that athletes have a legitimate expectations of support from our government,” EDSHA boss Imoedemhe, a former national team star, stated.</p>