The Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmad Nuhu-Bamali, has called on the Federal and state governments, as well as other stakeholders, to prioritize horse racing in Nigeria.
“It is not too exciting that more attention is now given to other sports, especially football. Attention to sports is too lopsided in favour of football, and this trend should be redressed,” he told Pathway News in Kaduna on Wednesday.
Nuhu-Bamali made these remarks during the opening ceremony of the maiden International Horse Racing Derby held in Kaduna. The event was organized by the Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria (HRFN), with Alhaji Mustapha Abubakar, Sarkin Dawakin Nupe, serving as the National Coordinator.
The horse race, themed “Hope Renewed 1st Year Democracy Derby 2nd Edition Under Division System Race,” highlighted the need for more funding, improved facilities, and the sponsorship of local and international horse racing events.
The Emir expressed his excitement about the event’s significance in bolstering national unity and socioeconomic development. “Sports bring people, communities, and countries together. This derby will be sustained and replicated,” he added as the Grand Patron of the federation.
The Emir of Machina in Yobe, Dr. Bashir Bukar, also emphasized the importance of sports as a unifying factor in Nigeria and globally, advocating for horse racing to be recognized as a federation sport in the country due to its invaluable significance.
Similarly, the Speaker of the Kaduna State House, Alhaji Yusuf Liman, praised the enthusiasm and passion of the participating youths and horse owners. “I will use my good offices to attract more attention to horse racing and sports in general,” Liman said.
Kaduna State Commissioner for Sports Development, Prof. Benjamin Kumai-Gugong, highlighted the royal and glamorous aspects of horse racing. “In Kaduna State, we will give horse racing a renewed vigour to take it to greater heights,” he stated.
Alhaji Mustapha Abubakar assured that the federation would work to sustain and replicate the event across Nigeria and Africa. “We will do everything humanly possible to take horse racing to the next level. Horse racing will be made not only a northern affair but a national and an African affair,” he added.
