November 17, (THEWILL) – The President of the Nigeria Polo Federation (NPF), Nura Sani Kangiwa, has met with the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan-Enoh, in a bid to advance the development of Polo in Nigeria.
Kangiwa, who in the company of other executive members of the Federation, paid a courtesy visit to the Sports Minister in Abuja, on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, said discussions at the meeting centred on the support and partnership of the Federal Ministry of Sports in the development of Polo in the country
He congratulated the Honourable Minister on his recent appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and expressed confidence in Senator John Owan-Enoh’s ability as the Minister of Sports to introduce sustainable sports development programs and, over time, increase the contribution of Sports to Nigeria’s economy.
The NPF President had earlier explained to the Minister that Nigeria is one of the largest Polo-playing countries in the world. Nura Kangiwa stated, “Nigeria is one of the largest Polo-playing countries in the world with 27 clubs and 33 playing fields across the country. And contrary to popular opinion, Polo is not the game of the elites. It is an active team sport with people from different socio-economic backgrounds and ethnicities.”
Nura Kangiwa sought the Ministry’s support for the Nigeria Polo Federation in hosting an annual National Polo Tournament in Abuja, as well as support in NPF’s participation at International Polo tournaments and international friendlies. The President also asked for the Federal Government’s support for the eradication of African Horse Sickness (AHS) and other equine healthcare needs in Nigeria.
The NPF President was accompanied by other executive members of the Federation including Abdulkarim Jibrin, 2nd Vice President of NPF; Sanusi Umar, and Abba Kangiwa.
In response, the Honourable Minister, Senator John Owan-Enoh, thanked the NPF President and the delegation for coming to see him and acknowledged the popularity of the game of Polo in Nigeria. He revealed that he personally understands that Polo is not a sport of the elites alone, even though public opinion perceives Polo as such.
Owan-Enoh assured the delegation of his commitment to the popularisation and expansion of Polo across Nigeria, especially among Nigerian youths all over the Federation, as an equal opportunity for youth development and empowerment.
He, therefore, expressed his readiness to work with NPF on the development of Polo programmes targeting youths’ development in Nigeria.
The Minister reiterated his commitment to the development of Polo in Nigeria and indicated that he is willing to work with other MDAs in Nigeria, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Health, for the eradication of African Horse Sickness and other equine health care in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF) is the official Polo games regulator in Nigeria and is a member of the Federation of International Polo, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The NPF is recognised globally and is allowed to participate in the international Polo sports arena. The Federation is subject to the rules and regulations of the FIP, which ensure that Polo organizations worldwide comply with the highest ethical standards.
