Coach Mark Oloruntola lauds Abdulbasit Adekunle's Kenya performance

Ondo State hockey coach Mark Oloruntola has singled out Abdulbasit Adekunle for praise following his performance at the inaugural U18 Youth Africa Cup in Nairobi, Kenya. Adekunle played a leading role for the Nigerian boys' squad during the tournament, which served as the qualification event for the FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup.

Nigeria secured bronze medals in both the men's and women's categories during the competition. The boys' team achieved a 15-2 victory over Uganda to claim third place, while the female team defeated Ghana 4-3 to secure their podium finish. Despite these results, Nigeria failed to qualify for the World Cup in December, as only the top two teams in each category earned spots in the global tournament.

Oloruntola described Adekunle as a hardworking, intelligent, and disciplined player. He noted that the player's character and determination were the primary reasons he earned his position within the national team. The coach emphasized that while skill is necessary, it is an athlete's attitude and discipline that provide long-term sustainability in a sporting career.

Extending congratulations on behalf of the Ondo State Government and the Ondo State Sports Council, Oloruntola expressed his belief that this achievement marks the start of a successful career for Adekunle. He advised the player to maintain his focus on training and to remain committed to his professional development.

While the Nigerian teams missed out on the upcoming World Cup, stakeholders have noted the importance of the international experience gained by the young players during the tournament in Kenya.