Tribute to Nadeem Bhatti – The selfless hero who died while on the field
In August, Nigeria Hockey Federation President Abdul Ningi, announced that development of hockey in Nigeria received a huge boast thanks to a special initiative by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) as part of the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Solidarity sports development assistance programme.
Coach Nadeem Bhatti, a Pakistani, saddled with the responsibility of training Nigerian players and coaches across the country started with an organised training session for National Team coaches as they prepared for the Hockey World Hockey League round 1 to hold in Accra Ghana.
Upon his return from the World Hockey League in Ghana, Nadeem conducted a 3-day FIH coaching course on 14th-16 of September 2016 at the National Stadium package (B) where he National Hockey stadium is located in Abuja.
In October, conducted a week of hockey education with male and female National teams in Abuja
In late October Nadeem conducted coaching and development programme for school chlidren and coaches.
The completion of the coaches and the umpires training marked the end of the FIH and IOC Nigeria phase two development plan.
In November 2-3 Nadeem conducted a-two day training in Northern Nigeria where where he worked with coaches and youth of Kaduna.
The Kaduna training was a huge success.
After another successful coaching courses in Portharcourt, he was preparing to go to Lagos where he will continuing his coaching course when his untimely death was announced on November 7th.
Lt Col (R) Nadeem Bhatti, a FIH certified coach educator, was a brilliant goal keeper in his youth, Bhatti represented Pakistan Army team in the national competitions and was good enough to attend quite a few national camps in late 80s and early 90s. He captained Pakistan Army team in the CISM (Military World Games) and had coaching stints in some other countries as well.
