In a pivotal meeting, Nura Sani Kangiwa, the President of the Nigeria Polo Federation (NPF), convened with Senator John Owan Enoh, the Minister of Sports Development, to deliberate on the progression of polo in Nigeria.
Accompanied by fellow Executive Members of the Federation, Kangiwa and his team paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Sports Development, focusing their discussions on securing support and forging partnerships with the Federal Ministry of Sports to propel the development of polo in the country.
The NPF, recognized globally and affiliated with esteemed bodies such as the Federation of International Polo (FIP), the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), adheres to the highest ethical standards outlined by the FIP.
During the meeting, President Kangiwa conveyed his congratulations to Minister Owan-Enoh on his recent appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He expressed confidence in the Minister’s capacity to introduce sustainable sports development programs and enhance the contribution of sports to Nigeria’s economy.
Highlighting Nigeria’s prominent standing in polo, Kangiwa emphasized, “Nigeria is one of the largest Polo playing countries in the world with 27 clubs and 33 playing fields across the country.”
He debunked the notion that polo is exclusive to the elite, portraying it as an active team sport with diverse participation from various socio-economic backgrounds and ethnicities.
President Kangiwa sought the Ministry’s backing for hosting an annual National Polo Tournament in Abuja and support for the NPF’s participation in international polo events and friendlies.
Additionally, he appealed for Federal Government assistance in addressing equine healthcare needs, particularly the eradication of African Horse Sickness (AHS) in Nigeria.
Accompanying President Kangiwa were Abdulkarim Jibrin, the 2nd Vice-President of NPF; Sanusi Umar of NPF; and Abba Kangiwa of NPF.
Responding to the delegation, Minister Owan-Enoh expressed gratitude for their visit and acknowledged the popularity of polo in Nigeria.
He dispelled the perception of polo as an elite-only sport and affirmed his commitment to popularizing and expanding polo across the nation, especially among Nigerian youths.
The Minister pledged collaboration with the NPF in developing polo programs aimed at youth empowerment.
He reiterated his dedication to working with other government agencies, including the Ministries of Agriculture and Health, for the eradication of African Horse Sickness and other equine healthcare issues in Nigeria.
