FIP heaps accolades on Nigerian Polo Federation, Lamido Adamawa hails progress
These are exciting times for the noble game of polo in Nigeria. It may not get nowhere near the traction or airplay that football does, but it is revealing just how much plaudits it received from several quarters internationally.
In the past, the media has been inundated about other sports, with soccer being the only media diet one could get. Now, the tide has changed to polo, and the flavour of the mouth is the enduring legacy of Nigerian polo and its spiraling successes.
Only recently, the Federation of International Polo (FIP) singled out Nigeria as one of member nations with the largest number of polo clubs, and one of the very few that the game of polo is played all year round.
At the heart of it is the Nigeria Polo Federation (NPF) President Francis Ogboro, a highly decorated player, patron and astute administrator whose achievements at various levels have been envied by his most daring critics.
The entire idea of “Giving Back” can often be reduced to a cliché, but since he took over at the national level with a determination to make a difference, and the results have been staggering.
Since his election as the federation boss, Ogboro has brought many initiatives that has re-positioned the king of games in the country and this is not lost on the global governing body, royalties and the corporate world that have all lauded the rapid growth experienced so far.
Months after the finals of the second World Armed Forces Polo hosted by Nigeria, participating countries and other FIP family members are still sending messages to the Nigerian Army Polo Association and the NPF.
Added to the FIP commendation, is the Lamido Adamawa HRH, Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa thumbing up of the national polo authority for the transformation king of sports, polo has experienced.
Speaking to Polo Royals from his palace in Yola, the royal father stated that through leadership commitment, the federation has waded through thick and thin to reposition the game as one of the biggest corporate sports in the country, attracting blue chip organizations in their droves.
Reechoing the FIP, the Lamido noted that, “Sports, particularly the game of polo, is a key passion point and a unifier among various age groups worldwide.
“Polo that has gained acceptance from every part of the country provides the platform for entertainment, bonding and networking opportunities. So, when these are merged, we are given the right platform to reach Nigerians across all segments.’’
He noted that the federation has successfully leveraged its organizations of the annual tournaments around the country to further promote unity, excitement, healthy living and empowerment, insisting that. “Polo is key in building national cohesion and development.”
Nigeria’s triumphant return to the Polo World Cup stage in Malaysia with polo power houses like Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Hong Kong and South Africa vying for honours, remains undoubtedly the biggest international rocket of Ogboro’s stewardship so far.
Locally, the aristocratic game with Ogboro in the driving seat has surpassed expectations in many areas, dwarfing other popular sports in spread and acceptance. With over thirty polo clubs and resorts (both public and private), the king of games stands high up there alone.
Apart from sustaining its popularity across the northern part of the country, the game has made sterling in-road into the south, with the Niger delta region its newest frontier. Apart from Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa-Ibom states, new polo clubs are springing up in Makurdi, Lokoja, Hadejia, Taraba and lately Gombe.
These are part of the unveiling grand plans by the Ogboro-led federation to add more values to the noble game. “Our corporate philosophy has always been the promotion of polo and to connect with and develop sustainable relationships with the youth and people across demographic, socioeconomic classes and enhance national development,” the NPF boss declares.
“We are proud of the fact that our leadership has raised the popularity and of status polo and tourism in Nigeria, going by the large turnout of spectators and other dignitaries within and outside Nigeria that witnessed our tournaments all year round,’’ he added.
As he noted in his landmark speech at the 113th anniversary, the Nigerian polo as the oldest organized sports in the country dating back to 1904, has come to stay.