Contact Person
Walter Imoedemhe

Role in NA
Member (NHF) & Chairman, Development Committee. Development Officer.

When and where?
The GHYM took place on Sunday, 13^th May 2007. The 6^th Alh Bukar Ibrahim open hockey championship for men and women slated for the 10^th – 18^th May 2007 at Damaturu coincided with GHYM day.

What was the target group?
School girls between the ages of 9 and 14

How many people took part?
Over 250 girls from various schools in Damaturu town, Capital of Yobe State. Young boys (predominantly street boys) of the same age who wanted to be part of it, hockey players who acted as volunteer instructors.

Over 5,000 spectators. This included the Executive Governor of Yobe State and President, NHF, Alh Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Chief of Staff of Yobe State Government House, Alh. Mohammed Barka Gashua, Commissioners in the Executive Council of Yobe State, Members of the NHF, games teachers of schools, school pupils, street boys as prevalent in the northern area of Nigeria, hockey players from the various states that came for the 6th Bukar Ibrahim hockey open championship for men and women, etc. it was very unique being the very first to be organized in the city and indeed the northern part of Nigeria.

What was the aim of the event?
Though the program was an integral part of a broader national development strategy aimed at encouraging young girls to take up not only playing but to stay in hockey, it was also to make Nigeria a part of the Global design for hockey by FIH.

Result of the event?
The outcome was superlative. Apart from the tumultuous attendance, the Executive Governor of Yobe State used the opportunity to give hockey equipments to over 8 schools for youth development. The enthusiasm for the game was high. Assurances were received that it will be celebrated annually. As a Federation, we hope to sustain this event not only in Damaturu, but in other states as well.

Follow-up of the event?
As individual sponsors and as a Development Officer of the NHF, we will continue to support the staging of this program. Secondly, quarterly activities especially competitions amongst the schools that participated have been mapped out to keep the girls in tune. Periodic camps are also been envisaged. The support from the National Association is very helpful to get as many school girls involved in hockey.