By Ime Bassey

The third edition of  the International Energy Insurance Hockey Premier League would kicked off  at the weekend in Lagos at the National Stadium Hockey pitch with all eyes on the Union Bank hockey team, winners of the inaugural Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF) Top 4 Championship for Adekunle Kukoyi Cup last month.

The IEI hockey league is coming back in a big way following last season’s one off grand finale in Abuja. The tournament is returning back to its old format with regional places in Lagos and Kaduna after which the top four teams in the male and female categories would gather in Abuja for the grand finale.

The tournament flicked off with the Atlantic Conference with teams in the south and western region of the country converging at the National Stadium Hockey pitches, Lagos.

The 2011 IEI Premier league was won by Yobe Desert Warriors, which defeated Niger Flickers in the final play while the female category was won by Bayelsa Queens, which returned to give Imo Heartlands, winners of the inaugural edition of the league in 2010, a run for their money, to lift the trophy.

According to Omiema Brown, NHF Director of Development Committee and coordinator of the Atlantic Conference, the Atlantic Conference would be tough considering the calibre of teams vying for honours in Lagos.

Among them are Union Bank team, Lagos State male and female Hockey teams, Ondo male and female Hockey teams, Heartlands of Imo State (African champions), Rivers State male and female teams, Edo male and female teams, Delta male and female teams and Bayelsa Queens, defending champions.