ACC TOURNEY DIRECTOR, IMOEDEMHE PLANS BIG FOR HOCKEY

TOURNAMENT Director at the just concluded Africa Club Hockey Championships (ACC) in Accra, Ghana, Walter Imoedemhe, has promised to employ the experience and expertise he gained at the continental tourney to organise a grand hockey event during February's Nigeria University Games (NUGA) to be hosted by the University of Benin.

Speaking with the media in Accra, the Nigerian technical officer and member of the NUGA Local Organising Committee, said he has gained tremendous experience as the first Nigerian to be the tournament director of the Africa club tournament.

The Edo State Hockey former chairman, who was also tournament director of the final of the IEI National Hockey League in Abuja this year, said he has gained the respect of African clubs officials over time, hence his appointment. He said: 'To be a tournament director in a big event like this is challenging.

'Before leaving Nigeria, I was afraid and I tried to cast back how tournament directors in the championships that I have been to operated, in Harare, in Cairo.

'As a tournament director, you are to be firm and implement the rules and regulations without bias, and because I am a lawyer by profession, I know the meaning of rules and regulations and so far it has been productive.'

Imoedemhe added that he has also seen lots of positive details in the organisation of the club tourney by the Ghana Hockey Federation (NHF). He added: 'I have also gained a lot from the perfect organisation skill of the Local Organising Committee here and hope to replicate it when at the University Games to be hosted by the University of Benin early next year.'

Imoedemhe took part in his first hockey event at Oluyole '79 National Sports Festival and thereafter played extensively locally and internationally before retiring from active hockey in 1985. He explained: 'I played my last All Africa Games in Harare.

In 2004, I became chairman of the Edo State Hockey Association and moved on to become a board member of the Nigeria Hockey Federation until it was concessioned two years ago. I remain the chairman of NHF Developmental Committee and presently a member of the Event and Competition Committee of the Africa Hockey Federation.'