In a bid to deepen the popularity of equestrian sports in the country, the Nigeria Equestrian Federation has announced the setting up of an academy to promote the development of the equine industry, particularly the noble game of polo.
A release signed by the Director of the foundation, Dr. Anthony Obiora, stated that the academy is aimed at giving training, mentoring, educational scholarship and welfare to aspiring athletes and horse riders through a wide range of equestrian discipline.
According to the release, the academy that is spread over four major programmes would provide training through coaching, test riding exhibitions and lectures with industry professionals both local and international with established competences and experiences.
Our correspondent also gathered that the programme will also organize inter-school equestrian tournaments across the country and organized a Summer Camps targeted at boys and girls at all experience levels from beginners to those who are already used to horse riding experiences.
Other activities of the equine academy include Nigerian Equestrian Federation Charity Ball event that is aimed at raising money to fund the numerous charity activities of the federation, and horse therapy and rehabilitation seasons for those involved in the industry.
The federation also declared that it intends to drive grassroots awareness on the abundant opportunities in the equestrian industry, recognizes the impact of horses in Nigeria and as a launch pad to drive to prominence the tourism potentials of the equestrian industry.
Late last year, the federation held a well-attended Equine Industry Award in Abuja where the Emir of Katsina, HRH Dr. Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman, Youth and Sport Development Minister Sunday Dare, Murtala Laushi, Dawule Baba, Bello Buba, Jos Malcomines polo team and Guards Polo Club in Abuja top the list of the biggest winners.
The Emir Katsina who is the Life Chairman of Nigeria Polo federation, won the Icon of polo sport award, the Katsina royal family that was distinguished for its timeless promotion of the noble game of polo, was named the most polo supporting family in Nigeria.
Sports Minister Dare won on the Most Equine support Ministers, just as the President of Jos Polo Club and the Secretary General of the Nigeria Polo Federation (NPF), Murtala Laushi won the Best Patron of the Year Award, while his team, Jos Malcomines was named the Best Team of the Year.
Other winners of the award included Dawule Baba, Bello Buba, President of Guards Polo Club, Abdullahi Ibrahim, Guards Polo Club Captain, Murhkar Adahama, Guard Polo Club and Aisha Suleiman won the Against All Odds award for her choice to make a career from the special sport that is dominated by men.
Damilola Sholademi won the Outstanding Horseback Asher of the year award, Dotun Popoola won the Best Equine Artwork award, Coge Africa, Daily Trust Newspaper and Polo Royals, a weekly polo column, were named the best Equine industry media organizations.
The organizer of the award, Dr. Obiora noted during the award ceremony in Asokoro, Abuja that the horse and the noble game of polo remains one of Nigeria’s elitist sporting activity that elicits reverence and confers status on stable owners.
“Since its appearance on the Nigerian landscape, polo has established a firm grip on the society across cultural, sports and leisure activities,” he remarked.