Members of Nigeria’s female hockey team, Jinking Damsels, have pledged better results from future outings for the country.
This pledge was served by the coach, Peter Okwudili Chukwumenyie, and captain, Joan Alpha, after helping Nigeria secure a silver medal at the 13th African Games in Ghana.
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They both echoed a comforting verdict that their performance in Accra was worth celebrating, especially as they lost narrowly on penalties to the hosts, but stressed that they must do better next time out.
Leading the charge was Chukwumenyie, who is also the assistant coach of the men’s squad and overall deputy in the general technical crew.
He praised all officials, stakeholders and players that made the runner-up spot possible in Accra, then unfolded their focus and targets for the future.
Chukwumenyie added: “It’s been a great experience and useful learning curve. It’s not always that you win gold at the first attempt or second try.
“This is our return to the African Games after a long absence. It’s an interesting environment. We came for a purpose, we got silver, and we wanted to work harder.
“Please take this back that everyone is hands on deck. From the Nigeria Hockey Federation board, the coaches, the players, technical and officiating officials, everyone is at work.
“We are at work. Nigerian hockey has come to stay. We are now Africa’s number two in female and three in the male category. That tells you we are working, and we’ll keep working.”
The team’s captain also spoke in a similar vein, as she stated: “It’s hard work and determination. We also have great coaches. We wanted to win, we tried our best, but they won it eventually.
“It’s a game – sometimes you lose, sometimes you win. That’s the game. We had good chances, and we tried to utilise all our chances, but it ended in a draw and straight to penalties.
“It’s a game, and anything is bound to happen. It’s a good experience coming here. We’ve learnt so much, and we now know what our weak points are. We know when next what to do and we’ll play better.”
All observers of Nigerian hockey agreed that it is a step forward for the female hockey team, which has set eyes on playing at the Olympic Games, after getting to the last African championship’s final, following which they were ranked fourth in Africa and 30th in the world
