Engr. Clement Ucho Outlines Vision for Southwest Hockey Development
The aspiration of Engr. Clement Ucho for the position of Southwest Zonal Representative on the Board of the Nigeria Hockey Federation has continued to gather momentum as he unveiled his vision for transforming the sport in the region.
In an interview, Engr. Ucho, known for sponsoring and organizing Hockey Zonal Championships and leagues, explained that his decision to contest was driven by a desire to reposition the Southwest as a leading zone in Nigerian hockey. According to him, the region has yet to live up to its potential in terms of innovation, cohesion, and competitive success.
“The Southwest is not where it should be in Hockey development. We should be leading in innovation and laurels, but there is little cohesion among leaders. This should not be a one-man show, but teamwork. That is my inspiration—to fill the void,” he stated.
Engr. Ucho, who’s coming out from Osun State, emphasized that his representation would be inclusive of all six states in the Southwest. He noted his engagement with coaches and General Managers across the region, assuring fairness and equal opportunities for all. “No more ‘Animal Farm’ treatment. All states will be treated fairly and equally,” he added.
On grassroots development, the candidate stressed the importance of early engagement through the “Catch Them Young” initiative, which will introduce Hockey to schools and communities. He pledged to work with relevant government agencies to incorporate Hockey into Physical Education curricula at the primary and secondary school levels, while also supporting schools with Hockey equipment.
To address the challenge of inadequate infrastructure, Engr. Ucho proposed a public-private partnership model to complement government efforts. He expressed confidence in attracting sponsors to invest in facilities and training grounds across the zone.
He further highlighted the need to expose both players and coaches to international best practices. “Our players will attend international tournaments, even if only as observers, to learn how the game is played and organized globally. Coaches too will undergo regular training to bring them up to date with Hockey innovations,” he noted.
Looking ahead, Engr. Ucho expressed optimism about the future of Southwest Hockey under his watch. “By God’s grace, in four years we will be at the top amongst other zones. I wish to be remembered as The Transformer—the one who encouraged the transformation of Hockey in the Southwest,” he concluded.
With this vision, Engr. Clement Ucho presents himself as a candidate committed to fairness, inclusivity, and sustainable development of Hockey in the Southwest zone.
