George Mensah, a Ghanaian umpire, who participated at a seminar at the Nigeria Institute of Sports, has commended the standard of the game of hockey in Nigeria as having the chance to hold its own against other hockey-playing nations.

Mensah revealed this at the venue of the 1st Elmac Assurance Competition for Under-20 girls and Under-21 boys which ended at the weekend.

"Indeed, Nigeria is a force to reckon with, especially with the display I've seen here (Union Bank Sports Complex). The players are very good on grass which means if they're opportuned to play on the astro-turf, they'll surely perform," the Ghanaian umpire said.

On the level of officiating at the competition, Mensah praised his Nigerian counterparts for their ability to stamp control over the game.

On the issue of facilities, the Ghanaian lamented that it is a pity that Nigeria does not have at least a synthetic turf which they (the Ghanaians) are opportuned to have. He added that lack of facilities has hampered the development of the sport as evident from what he has seen in the country.