Ogboro re-elected as Polo president for the third time
… vows to promote sports internationally
The President of Nigerian Polo Federation, (NPF) Francis Ogboro has pledged to re-double his effort in promoting Nigerian polo within the continent and internationally following his re-election for a third time in Kaduna.
The President who thanked the Nigerian polo family for the confidence reposed in him to lead the NPF for the third, says his relentless crusade of expanding the frontiers of Nigerian polo would be sustain in a way that would truly reflect Nigeria’s status as a power house of African polo.
The popular polo patron who received goodwill messages from the world polo ruling body, FIP, The Nigerian Olympic Committee and the Sports Ministry, told the world sporting press that Nigeria polo is one big family that will continue to put Nigeria in the international limelight.
“The last few years were a period that started with a lot of questions about the future of NPF and Nigerian polo. Along the way, we became a greater voice in polo and built credibility with our members,” he declared as he settles down to reflect on the highlights of his year.
Ogboro recounted the many highlights, but declined to rank them in any particular order, singling out EL-Amin’s record setting Georgian Cup glory, the springing up many new polo clubs across the country and the FIP rating of Nigerian polo as one of the fastest growing in the world, as some of the major hallmarks of tenure so far.
The sports’ world governing body, FIP has in its lasts review ranked Nigeria as one of the biggest polo playing nation in world, with the game being played throughout the year. With over 20 polo clubs (Both private and public) spread across the country, FIP says the future of the king of games is truly in good hands.
“Polo is one of the biggest corporate sports with huge marketing potentials and the NPF must brace up to hosting two tournaments in a month, if all the accredited clubs must hold their annual tournaments within the season.” Ogboro pointed out.
Nigeria’s triumphant return to the Polo World Cup stage organized by FIP with polo power houses like Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, South Africa and host Malaysia vying for honours, is undoubtedly the biggest rocket of his administration.
As Ogboro noted in his landmark speech shortly after the poll results were released by General Garba led election committee, the few listed achievements are the strongest indications yet, that NPF and the noble game of kings has come to stay.
“By reason of its rich and esteem history, its great capacity and the camaraderie, this noble game of polo stands on the threshold of a new era of great achievement in the years to come,” the NPF boss declared.
“This is a special game that fosters unity, confident, team spirit and discipline. Polo is a great sport that can achieve anything it wants if we all set our minds to it. We should strive to meet and exceed that expectation in our efforts to move Nigerian polo even further.” Ogboro added”
“The rest of the world sees us as great sportsmen, a united family and today you the players, our patrons, private sector partners, individual benefactors and enthusiasts, have declared yourself confident and hopeful about the future of polo in this country.” he affirms.
The closely fought election held at the Lamido Musdafa Polo Ground in Yola, threw up new names who were elected into NPF Executive Committee to run the affairs of the ancient sport for the next two years.
The results announced by the Electoral Committee Chairman and member of NPF’s Board of Trustees (BOT), General M. A. Garba (rtd.) returned Tanko Ayuba as the First Vice-president, while a new face, Nura Kangiwa, was elected as the second vice-president, Jos Malcomines Patron Murtala Laushi succeeded Baba Kyari as the new Secretary General, just as Haruna Usman and Abdulkarim Jibril were elected as Assistant Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Other members of the new management Committee include Abba Kangiwa who emerged as assistant treasurer; Barrister Sambo Idris was elected as Legal Adviser. Salmanu Tilde and Abubakar Kari were elected as ex-officio members.