President Bola Tinubu says the federal government is fully committed to upscaling horse racing in Nigeria
The president also vowed that his administration would leave no stone unturned in making horse racing an all-year-round event.
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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Tinubu spoke on Saturday in Kaduna at the grand finale of the “Renewed Hope International Horse Racing Derby.”
NAN also reports that the event, organised by the Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria (HRFN), had as its theme: ‘Sahel Savannah Series 2025′.
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Represented by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission of Nigeria (NSCN), Shehu Dikko, Mr Tinubu said, “We are fully committed to general sports development in the country.
He said, “We will also collaborate with the federation to take the sports to the desired level, as it showcases our age-old cultures and traditions.
“It also promotes unity among the citizens and other parts of Africa, just as it boosts the economy and tourism.”
Mr Tinubu further underscored the importance of horse racing, saying that it aligned with his Renewed Hope Agenda.
In a message to the event, the life president of the federation and the Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, said that the historic event celebrated Nigeria’s rich equestrian tradition.
“It also showed the collective spirit of regional integration and cultural heritage across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Etsu Nupe, who was represented by the Lakpene Raba Nupe and Financial Secretary of the HRFN, Sai’du Umaru-Lakpene, added, “At the health of the series is our commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
“This agenda represents a vision of unity, progress and prosperity for Nigeria.
“We are proud to play our part by showcasing the talent, diversity and competitive spirit that define our great nation.”
In another message to the epochal event, the Chairman of the federation, Tajudeen Dantata, stated that the occasion marked a significant milestone in the history of horse racing in Nigeria.
Mr Dantata said,” The Sahel Savannah Series is a testament to our commitment to promoting and developing the sport while showcasing the best of Nigeria’s horse racing talents.”
Also, the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Bamalli, described horse racing as a plausible unifying factor in Nigeria, Africa and other parts of the world.
The emir, who is also the federation’s Grand Patron, said, “This is a very important event because it unifies people from other parts of the country and across Africa.
“As you can see, everybody is here and all the people are happy. It promotes harmony and peaceful coexistence.”
In his message, the federation’s National Coordinator, Abubakar Mustapha-Bida, stated that it was dedicated to promoting national unity and prosperity.
He said, “This is by bringing together people from various regions through a shared passion…
“We plan to host top-tier races that attract leading local and international competitors.
“These events will feature excellent facilities, world-class hospitality and exceptional entertainment, creating unique and exciting Nigerian experience for visitors.”
The national coordinator, who coordinated the horse racing competition, said, “We have five countries that participated in the event. They are Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali.
“They are our international partners during racing events in Nigeria.”
It would be recalled that President Tinubu’s ‘Hope Renewed Horse’ has maintained her winning streak to clinch the first position as the fastest horse in Africa for the sixth time.
At the end of the historic tourney, six cars were won, including the one clinched by Mr Tinubu’s horse that has maintained its first position.
Emir seeks more investments in horse racing
At the event, the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Bamalli, called on affluent Nigerians to make investments in horse racing.
“Sports in Nigeria generally need more investments, and not just by the government but by those who are wealthy.
“This is very important and we need more of such investments to take horse racing to greater heights,” he said.
The emir spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Kaduna on the sidelines of the grand finale of the ‘Renewed Hope International Horse Racing Derby’.
NAN also reports that it was themed, ‘Sahel Savannah Series 2025- Grand Finale’.
The epochal event was organised by the Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria (HRFN), as part of its unwavering commitment to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda
READ ALSO: International Horse Racing Derby gallops off in Kaduna
The emir said, “Such investments can be made plausibly through public-private partnerships (PPP) and they always result in high turnovers in a myriad of ways.”
Mr Bamalli said that investments in sports and particularly in horse racing would create more jobs and drastically curb the disturbing menace of youth restiveness.
He added, “This will also encourage the local breeding of horses, hence curb their massive importation from countries like Argentina and others.”
“This will further help in conserving the direly needed foreign exchange and inevitably bolster the economy of the country.”
(NAN)
