Polo is dying in the North

“In Nigeria Polo is no longer an elitist game, now anybody that is interested irrespective of their social or financial status can play the game” he told www.nigeriasports.com

 Contrary to the belief that polo is a well loved game in the northern parts of the country the ex-national security chief (NSO) revealed that the interest in the game in the north is fast waning.

 “While polo clubs in some of the northern towns like Sokoto, Daura, Kazaure and others are fast losing steam it is interesting to know that some of the clubs in the south like Port-Harcourt  Polo club are rising in standards and popularity.

 “I think the popularity of the game nationwide is about the same. The question of the game been more popular in one part of the country than the other does not arise,” he declared.

   On the level of participation in the Port Harcourt polo club 2004 tournament he asserted that the club been a young one has attracted a lot of beginners to this tournament which is healthy for the development of the game. He was of the opinion that the near neglect of the game by the government is a blessing of some sorts as anything that has government involvement doesn’t seem to thrive.

“It is a good thing that government has not shown more interest in the game of polo. Anything that the government touches doesn’t seem to thrive, after all why the privatizations? Definitely, when Nigerians start moving out of the country to play the game overseas, government will start showing interest.”

Reports: Isaac Olamikan