The Nigerian Polo Federation, NPF, has commended leading ICT Company, MTN, for its immense support towards the growth and development of the game in the country.
The NPF President, Francis Ogboro, who was speakingduring a special dinner hosted for participating players and officials of the NPF following the just concluded Yola Polo Tourney,praised the ICT giant for partnering with the Yola Polo Club to organize this year’s edition of the tourney.
According to Ogboro, MTN’s involvement in the promotion of Polo and other sports in Adamawa State has provided a platform for youths and other sports enthusiasts to direct their energy to gainful activities.
While describing MTN as a leading light with respect to NPF sanctioned tournaments in the country,Ogboro, further noted that the company has made a huge impact on the promotion of the game in Nigeriathrough its sponsorship of Polo competitions nationwide.
He said: “MTN has remained a reliable partner with us over the years and the NPF, along with the entire Nigerian Polo family are grateful to this wonderful company for this. Beyond developing the game, MTN’s sponsorship has helped engaged our youths positively. The support has been immense and we are proud that it has yielded positive fruits. We would like to encourage other corporate organizations to borrow a leaf from MTN by also supporting the game”.
The General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, Richard Iweanoge, re-affirmed MTN’s commitment towards the promotion ofpolo. While describing Sports as a rallying point for Nigerians, he added that the game of Polo was just one of the platforms through which MTN connects with its teeming consumers.
In his words:“Our support for the game of Polo over the yearsis an indication of our commitment towards the game and sports in general. Sports has become a major rallying point for Nigerians as well as a critical factor that helps preserve the unity of this country. It is for this reason we decided to give Polo and other sports our support.”
The eight days Yola Polo Tourney which kicked off on October 5, 2015, saw the emergence of Kaduna Kakuri and Bauchi Gabasawa as the first two winners of the international polo event which was held at legendary Lamido Aliyu Musdafa Polo ground in Yola, Adamawa State.
The Baba Kyari led Kaduna Kakuri defeated Yola Fombina in a two horse race to clinch the Lamido Cup, while Gabasawa had to dig deep before overcoming Katsina Gobarau in the finals to clinch their first INTEL’s Cup title in Yola.
