Nigeria is set to break new ground on the international sporting stage following the emergence of the country’s first-ever national netball team, the Green Hawks, ahead of the 2026 Africa Regional Qualifiers in Nairobi, Kenya.
President of the Nigeria Netball Federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Aluko, described the creation of the team as the beginning of a new chapter for Nigerian sport and a major step in the Federation’s mission to give netball a strong national and international identity.
The Green Hawks are scheduled to arrive in Nairobi on September 18, ahead of the continental competition running from September 19 to 26, where Nigeria will compete for one of Africa’s places at the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney.
Nigeria has been drawn in Pool 2 alongside Uganda, Malawi, Zambia and hosts Kenya, with the Green Hawks opening their campaign against Kenya on September 19 before facing Uganda, Malawi and Zambia.
Aluko said the significance of Nigeria fielding its first national netball team goes far beyond results in Nairobi, describing it as the fulfilment of an ambition to create opportunities for generations of Nigerian players.
“When these players walk onto the court wearing Nigeria’s colours, they will be carrying more than a jersey. They will be carrying the beginning of a legacy,” Aluko said.
“Years from now, young girls who represent Nigeria in netball should be able to look back at the Green Hawks and say, ‘That was where our journey began.’ That is what makes this team special.”
The NNF President added that Nigeria would approach the tournament with ambition despite being newcomers to the continental stage.
“We respect every country we will meet, but we are not afraid to dream big. We have built this team to compete, to learn and to show that Nigeria has arrived in international netball,” she added.
With two World Cup qualification places at stake, Nairobi presents a huge challenge for the Green Hawks.
But for Aluko, history has already started.
Nigeria finally has a national netball team — and the Green Hawks are ready to spread their wings.
