Nigeria Polo Association chairman Suleiman Abubakar has described the nation’s profitable bid to host the World Polo Championship qualifiers as a historic breakthrough, declaring that the achievement displays rising worldwide recognition of Nigeria’s contribution to the game.
Nigeria is scheduled to stage the qualifiers on the Guards Polo Club in Abuja from November 9 to 16, 2026, marking the primary time the nation will host the competitors.
Abubakar stated the internet hosting rights represented a big endorsement of the affiliation’s efforts to develop polo and strengthen Nigeria’s standing inside the worldwide sporting group.
“The world has recognised the efforts of our administration, and they have granted us the rights to host the World Polo Championship qualifiers,” Abubakar said.
He emphasised the historic significance of the event, noting that Nigeria had by no means beforehand secured the chance regardless of its lengthy affiliation with the game.
“For the first time in over 120 years of polo in Nigeria,” he stated.
The affiliation chairman believes the choice demonstrates that worldwide polo authorities are more and more acknowledging Nigeria’s progress and organisational ambitions.
“It is an announcement that, indeed, the world is taking note of Nigeria and the progress we’re making,” Abubakar declared.
The event is anticipated to supply Nigeria with a possibility to showcase its polo amenities, organisational capability and sporting heritage to visiting groups and worldwide stakeholders.
Hosting the qualifiers might additionally strengthen efforts to advertise polo domestically, entice higher consideration to the game and encourage additional funding in its improvement.
Abubakar pressured that the internet hosting rights weren’t merely a symbolic achievement however a possibility for Nigeria to exhibit its readiness to organise competitions of worldwide significance.
“They’ve granted us an opportunity,” he added.
With preparations anticipated to accentuate forward of November, the Nigeria Polo Association might be searching for to make sure that the occasion lives as much as its historic billing.
For Abubakar, the milestone represents greater than internet hosting a event: it’s recognition of Nigeria’s rising affect in polo and a possibility to ascertain the nation as a reputable vacation spot for main worldwide competitions.
