Tag: Argungu Polo

Historic as NSK Team, Westream Ponies, Mera Farms shine

Nigeria’s dominance of Africa’s sports and cultural tourism was in full bloom at the just concluded  annual Argungu Polo Tournament and Cultural Fete, with Fernando Munoz and Hafsat Mohammed making history as the first foreign player and first female player to play in the international sporting fiesta.

Regarded  as the only Nigerian sporting festival that combine the magnificence of polo  with the exciting cultural heritage of the country, celebrated its eighth edition with the commissioning of the Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar 111 Mosque in Argungu by APC Chairman, Abdulahi Ganduje as one of the its major highlights.

True to its exciting and competitive hallmarks, the just concluded festival held  at the sprawling NSK Polo Ranch and Resort in Argungu, Kebbi State, was memorable in all front as NSK Polo Team, Zaria Westream Ponies and Mera Farms emerged proud winners of the fiesta.

The grand finale of the tournament that attracted polo lovers from across Nigeria and beyond and top teams parading some of Nigeria’s most experienced players, was preceded by the commissioning of the mosque built by Nura Kangiwa by the APC boss assisted by the Deputy Governors of Sokoto, Kebbi and the Emir of Argungu, HRH Ismaila Muhammadu Mera.

Event’s biggest prize, the Governor’s Cup final decided before a surging crowd that included top government officials first class Emirs, business icons, diplomats and thousands of polo buffs was undoubtedly the star match of the international polo fiesta.

In  the end, it was the host team, the defending champions, NSK team from Argungu parading their Argentine import, Fernando and team Patron Nura Kangiwa that that gave the teeming home crowd plenty to celebrate for, after defeating the top running Heritage polo team to clinch the Governor’s Cup.

Other proud winners  at the prestigious polo-cultural carnival saw Nigeria’s top-rated Bello Buba propelling Abdulkarim Jibril powered Weststream Ponies to victory edging Mera Farms in a hotly contested four chukka final game, to clinch the highly revered Sultan Cup.

The race for the coveted Emir of Argungu Cup that was fiercely fought over two days of intense competition saw the first ever female player of the event in action as Mera Farms upsets pre-tournament favourites, Sokoto Rima team to clinch the glittering title.

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Elated host, Nura Kangiwa who congratulated the winners and runners- up of the prestigious carnival, stated Argungu Polo Tournament and Cultural Fete would remain the lead sporting and cultural tourism product in Nigeria and contiguous West African countries.

He pointed out that the tournament that showcases the traditional cultural displays is already archiving its objective in the state and its environs with the local communities are counting their blessings, as tourists and visitors who throng the festival are busy leveraging the economic benefits of the annual event.

“I want to thank all our patrons, the Kebbi State government, the Argungu Emirates Council, visiting delegations and our corporate partners for their commitments and immense support,” declares Kangiwa who hailed the players for their sportsmanship and the teeming crowd of polo buffs who made this 8th  edition of the polo tournament Fete destination to be.

The President of Nigeria Polo Federation (NPF) and the boss of Nigerian Tourism, NIHOTOUR promised to make the next edition a weeklong carnival, to accommodate more teams and enhance its popularity across Africa and beyond.

Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Sultan of Sokoto, Emir of Argungu, and other dignitaries all lauded Kangiwa and NSK Polo Farm initiatives for setting the pace for tourism drive to the north western part of the country.

Deputy Governor  further pledged the  continuous  support and commitment of the state government to partner with the event, adding  Kangiwa’s pace setting initiative to reposition the noble game of polo and tourism in Kebbi State is quite commendable.

Special Guest of Honour at the grand finale, Emir of Argungu, His Royal Highness Alhaji Samaila Muhammed Mera led other high-profile dignitaries to give out prizes to winners and runners-up finishers during at a colourful closing ceremony that brought the prestigious polo- cultural fete to a memorable end.

As preparations for the eight edition of the 8th  edition of the prestigious Argungu Polo Tourney & Culture Fete hit its feverish pitch, the ancient Kingdom of Argungu Emirates is wearing new looks ahead of the international sporting cum cultural festival.

Regarded as the only Nigeria’s stand-alone polo fiesta wrap around cultural ambience, the event  billed for the foremost NSK Polo Ranch and Resort in Argungu, Kebbi State, is expected to start September 7 with top Nigerian and foreign governments, heads of government agencies, members of the diplomatic community and first class traditional rulers from West Africa countries in attendance.

The Argungu Polo Tournament and Cultural Fete serves as the domestic and inbound Nigeria markets; offering the majesty of the polo game, traditional sports and cultural activities in a typical African setting.

A statement signed by the organizers stated that  Argungu which is one of Nigeria’s significant historical towns, remains the  host town of UNESCO’s cultural heritage asset in Nigeria –  even  as the famous Argungu International Fishing Festival, is being prepped  ahead of the event.

The Patron of Argungu Polo Tournament and Cultural Fete, Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, who is the President of Nigeria Polo federation (NPF) and the Director General of National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), promised that activities lined-up for this year’s tourney and fete will surpass previous editions.

He explained that the objective of the event that has sustainably improved the economic multiplier-effects of the event to the state residents and tourist host communities will be deepened.

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 “We will feature more top-tier Polo teams, showcase diverse traditional sports and sundry cultural entertainment indigenous to the ancient Argungu Kingdom and Northern Nigeria,” he said.

Checks revealed that more than six polo teams have already confirmed their participation in the fiesta that is traditionally sponsored by Kebbi State Government , the ancient Kingdom of Argungu Emirates under His Royal Highness, Alhaji Samaila Mera, Fan Milk and a handful of corporate giants.

The major trophies on offer are the Governor’s Cup which is the event’s biggest prize. Others are the Sultan’s Cup, Emir of Argungu’s Cup, Emir of Kano’s Cup, Shehu Kangiwa’s Cup and Abubakar Dangiwa Umar’s Cup, among other laurels.

The Fete part of the event boosts an interesting bouquet of the best of African cultures. Some of the exciting displays would include culinary arts, Traditional wrestling, Camel racing, Horse racing, mini-Durbar, folk dancing, Bull fighting, and many other uncommon traditional spectacles.

 “Apart from featuring more top-tier Polo teams, this 8th edition showcases diverse traditional sports and sundry cultural entertainment indigenous to the ancient Argungu Kingdom and Northern Nigeria, with foreign cultural troupes from neighbouring West African countries expected to add the needed international flavour, ” Kangiwa declared.

He described the festival as one of the most veritable examples of successful Nigerian tourist product management  that serves the domestic and inbound Nigeria markets; offering the noble game  of Polo, traditional sports and cultural activities in a historic African destination.