Yakubu Busari
Plateau Malcomines has emerged winner of Nigeria polo club games of governor club.
The following clubs participated in 2016 Jos polo games ,the Gbong Gwom Jos ,units ,beginners ,veteran cup ,west stream respectively.
Governor Simon Lalong has been commended for his grassroots support program in the state and encouraging peaceful coexistence.
The Chairman organizing Committee of 2016 polo club tournament chairman, Alh.Salmanu M. Tilde gave this disclosure at the polo club held in Jos North Local Government Area of the state.
The chairman expresses confidence that the state is currently enjoying peaceful coexistence owning to Gov Simon Lalong policy to encourage grassroots participation of people.
He said the basic challenges being faced with polo tournament in Plateau state is due to the financial crisis in the country, particularly in the world in general which made thing very difficult for any company or individuals to indicate interest for the sponsorship of the Polo game.
Tilde lamented that to organized this year tournament is a very tedious job ,especially governor Simon Lalong has been very helpful to us financially if not won’t have been able because of the huge financial involvement.
He stressed that there are some companies like MTN, Nasco, and grand cereal that have sponsored the tournament for the time past, but this year, the sponsorship of these companies have been doing in the state couldn’t come.
The Chairman noted that the 2016 polo tournament organizations was only grand cereal company if look around the products are display everywhere so is an indication no single came on board .
Tilde reminded people that polo is a unifying factor, in 2010 at the high of Jos crisis, we try to organize polo tournament tagged”, peace tournament “sports in general and polo cut across tribes, religious, ethnicity.
According to him, it is the only sports you see Muslim and Christian coming together to watch and supporting the same team ,unifying factor in the state because anytime the game is on-going it bring everyone together irrespective of religious background.
He called on the youth in the state to embrace polo sports by seeking the cooperation of the youth in the state to come and try the luck of polo.
Alh Tilde decried the nonchalant attitude of the youths against the game of polo by tasking them to see so many opportunity in the game and work toward increasing their wellbeing.
Meanwhile, the branch manager of Grand cereal -Animals feeds limited Mr Odunsi Folorunso said the company used the polo game to showcase their new brand products to the market for horse .
He said, the polo club approached the management team toward assist the sponsorship which was approved.
Folorunso said, the company spent huge amount of money to ensure that polo game season remain side attraction to local and international players especially the youths.
The animals feed which include, fish, poultry and horse feeds remain the new vital product that can encourage horse riders to take advantage of their company.
He explained further that the new brand of grand cereal vital feed is to meet the requirements of local and international consumption.
“We are here to make show that grand cereal promote polo game in Nigeria to encourage grassroots participation of the sporting activities”, he added.
The Adamawa state coordinator of Poverty Eradication Programme,Mr Tanko Ayuba Audu has reiterated government determination and willingness to invest more in polo game to encourage youths participation in the sports.
Ayuba disclosed this in an interview at Jos polo 2016 annual game in memory of founding fathers of the polo in Nigeria.
He said, government across the 36 states has contributed positively to the growth and development sports in Nigeria as panacea to peace building.
Audu assured government readiness to give priority toward promotion grassroots sports and empowerment of youths to end responsible living.
He said, that he was very impress with the number of supporters club that turn out to witness the Adamawa state polo team which show that the youth are embracing sports.
Audu prayed almighty God to continue to sustain the tempo of the existing peace in the country, especially the north east were crisis had paralyzed business activities and peace is gradually returning to the communities.
He pointed out that polo game has brought together warrior factions to watch and entertained so is clear indication that people are prepared to leave together in harmony.
According to him, many sports lovers traveled from far and near to witness this game of polo which is shaping and manifesting oneness in us.
The Adamawa governor because of his love for polo also mobilize his own polo team to actively come into plateau state and play ,that along is his readiness to support the youths in sports ,he noted .
