Francis Ogboro: We’re committed to sustaining Nigeria’s status as Africa’s polo powerhouse

Francis Ogboro, recently re-elected president of the Nigeria Polo Federation (NPF), says he is committed to consolidating on the progress recorded in the growth of the sport in the country regardless of attendant challenges.

Ogboro, who spoke on Thursday, said the rising popularity of polo among several states in Nigeria is indicative of the federation’s quest to develop the sport.

“My plan to expand the frontiers of polo in Nigeria would be sustained to truly reflect the country’s status as a powerhouse of African polo,” he said.

“Polo is gaining ground in cities like Yenagoa, Makurdi, Lokoja, Gombe, Argungu, while the return of Zaria, Maiduguri and Sokoto to national limelight has encouraged the federation to host two tournaments in a month to enable all accredited clubs to hold their annual tournaments within the season, notwithstanding the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Ogboro was re-elected by the delegates at the 2021 election into the executive management committee of the NPF in Jos, Plateau state, earlier this month.

His achievements during his first tenure include the establishment of several new polo clubs across Nigeria and the ranking of the sport in the country as one of the fastest growing in the world by the Federation of International Polo (FIP).

Other elected officers include Nura Sani Kangiwa and Tanko Ayuba who were returned as first and second vice presidents respectively, as well as Murtala Laushi, who was re-elected the secretary-general, and Haruna Usman Ningi as the assistant secretary.