NPF readies for King Muhammad VI International Polo Tournament

The Nigeria Polo Federation (NPF) has perfected preparations to participate in the fourth edition of Moroccan King Mohammad VI International Polo Tournament billed to hold in Rabat and Tangiers, Morocco, from May 22-27, 2023.

The NPF is the official Polo games regulator in Nigeria and is a member of the Federation of International Polo, the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and International Olympic Committee (IOC) as a whole. Over the years, the NPF has effectively led the Nigerian polo team to partake in numerous international competitions, including the Federation of International Polo (FIP) World Cup qualifiers in Malaysia.

The President of Nigeria Polo Federation, Nura Sani Kangiwa, during the week, confirmed Nigeria’s participation in the Morocco tourney, which is organised under the auspices of the Moroccan Royal Federation of Polo.

Speaking in his Abuja office regarding Nigeria’s participation in the tournament, Kangiwa said: “It is instructive to note that this is an eight-nation tournament comprising Morocco, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Argentina, USA, Spain and Dubai. And, I assure you, the Nigerian polo team participating in this fourth edition of the King Mohammad VI International Polo Tournament is quite formidable and very experienced. Members of the Nigeria polo team for this year’s tournament are my humble self, Abdulkarim Jibril, Murtala Ahmad Laushi, Mohammed Abba Kyari, Shehu Sani Kangiwa, Hamisu Buba, Solomon Bassi, Fernando Munoz, Abdulmalik Bariki and Bello Samaila.”

Kangiwa, who is also the Director General of National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), explained further that, “Polo tournaments remain one of the biggest sporting events that traditionally turns a serene polo ground into the battlefield of high-end polo, attracting international VIP and celebrities from far and wide. Our attendance at this yearly tournament will no doubt help develop and enhance Nigeria’s profile throughout the world.”

Polo was first played in Nigeria in 1904 in Lagos. In those early days, the governing body of polo in Nigeria was the Nigerian Polo Association (NPA), which was established in 1920, it was subsequently transformed into the Nigeria Polo Federation (NPF) in 2009.