After comprehensive screening of players for the 18th National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012, the Lagos State Hockey Association (LSHA) at the weekend unveiled a 36-man squad that will represent the state at the sports fiesta.
With the final list of 36 being submitted to the technical committee of Lagos State Sports Council, the 10 players not selected were decamped for the team to go into final camping for the championship. The list is made up of 18 male and 18 female players with assurance from the LSHA boss, Tunde Popoola that the state would do well at the festival.
“From the rules of Hockey is going to be final 18. We were 28 in camp in the male and female categories. So we are dropping 10 each to having our final 18, so as to concentrate on those tactical areas because if we have a large crowd, the tactical approach might be difficult to achieve but now that we are going to have our final 18…,” he said.
Popoola added: “”With what we have seen now I think these players are good enough to go for the championship. I think I am expecting them, like an optimist to win the gold medals at stake. They played against the best hockey team in Nigeria, arguably Union Bank, so it is something good for the festival.”
The selected players in the male category include, Shotande Hussein, Offa Condition, Sanni Doyin, Odufade Hafeez, Bako Yau, Ali Mohammed, Ojabowale Olakunle, Anthny Oviawe, Disu Lateef, Lanre Shodipo, Sulaimon Hammed, Arasanwa Blessing, Taiwo Willimas, Nurudeen Salami, Olaluwoye Ayo, Muiz Bello, Falowo Babajide and Olowolayemo Adewale.
The female team is made up of Funmilayo Ashimolowo, Anyanwu Prisca, Titilayo Bawa Ahla, Kehinde Odubote, Funke Akinbuwa, Adetola Adegbite, Esther Ikejiofor, Jullit Izume, Maria Aragbada, Hellen Ukugba, Ope Adegboye, Jegede Happiness, Balogun Eunie, Mayowa Aina, Tobi Awoyemi, Mary Akpan, Abbey Salako and Funke Oguntuyi.
