, organised a hockey match to mark the end-of-year activities in Niger State.){kind=link}
The Old Boys Association of Government Science College (GSC) located in Kagara, Niger State North Central Nigeria, organised a hockey match to mark the end-of-year activities of its Annual General Meeting (AGM).
The friendly match featured the Class of 1984 against old boys from other sets, bringing past students together to relive their school days and promote unity among members.
Speaking at the event, the organiser of the hockey match and former senator, Shehu Sani, said sports played a very important role in education in the 1980s.
He noted that Niger State was once a strong force in hockey, with many players from the state representing Nigeria at the national level.
Sani explained that the idea behind the match was to revive interest in hockey, rather than limiting activities to indoor meetings. He said the association decided to bring together senior old boys, their mates, and younger sets to relive the good old days.
According to him, hockey was one of the most popular sports after football during their school days. He added that although many of the players are now in their late 50s and early 60s, the match gave them the opportunity to reconnect and create lasting memories.
To encourage participation, the organisers announced a prize of one million naira for the winner and five hundred thousand naira for the runner-up.
Sani also called on the state and federal governments to invest more in sports, especially at the grassroots level. He stressed that Nigeria should not focus only on football, but also support other sports such as hockey, athletics, wrestling, and table tennis.
He further appealed to the government to rebuild and reopen Government Science College, Kagara, when security improves, so that students can return to the school safely.
The hockey match attracted old boys from different sets and officials of the Nigeria Hockey Federation, raising hope that the sport will regain its place in Niger State and Nigeria at large.
The event ended in a friendly atmosphere, with participants celebrating unity, friendship, and the lasting bond of the GSC Kagara family. The Class of 1984 won the match and received a prize of one million naira, while the opposing team went home with five hundred thousand naira.
