Kano State has secured another qualification ticket for the 2027 Intermediate Games after its men’s hockey team successfully qualified from the North West Zonal Elimination tournament.
The qualification was confirmed despite Kano’s 11–3 defeat to Kaduna State in the team’s final match of the zonal competition.
Kano’s earlier 1–0 victory over Katsina State had already guaranteed the state’s qualification for the 2027 Intermediate Games before the heavy defeat to Kaduna.
The achievement adds another event to Kano State’s list of qualified sports ahead of the national competition, with the state’s athletes expected to continue their preparations for the Games.
However, Kano State suffered disappointment in the men’s basketball event after losing 73–42 to Katsina State.
The defeat ended Kano’s hopes of qualifying in the basketball event, having lost both of its matches during the zonal qualifiers.
Speaking after the conclusion of the North West zonal elimination, the Secretary of the Kano State Sports Commission, Dr. Bashir Ahmad Maizare, congratulated all the teams that secured qualification for the 2027 Intermediate Games.
Maizare commended the players, coaches and officials for their dedication, commitment and hard work throughout the competition.
He said the Kano State Sports Commission would continue to provide the necessary support to athletes and coaches to enable them represent the state successfully at the national level.
The secretary said the commission, under the leadership of its Executive Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Tukur Babangida, remained committed to supporting athletes and coaches as part of efforts to restore Kano’s position as one of Nigeria’s leading sporting states.
He urged the qualified athletes to remain focused and intensify their preparations ahead of the 2027 Intermediate Games.
The commission, he added, would continue working with coaches and athletes to ensure that Kano produces strong performances and competes for honours at the national level.
The North West zonal elimination has therefore produced mixed fortunes for Kano, with the men’s hockey team securing qualification while the men’s basketball team bowed out of the race.
The Kano State Sports Commission said it would build on the achievements recorded during the qualifiers and continue investing in athletes across different sporting disciplines.