An internationally recognised events management coy, My Events International Africa Ltd is to organise the first Horse Racing/Polo championship in Abuja and Lagos in December 2019.
The organisers at a press briefing said the Abuja leg of the competition which will hold between December 5-8 at the 12-12 Polo Club in Gwarimpa will see over 150 race horses and 400 horses for show jumping participating.
The championship which is going to attract participants from other African countries like Niger Republic, Cameroon and Burkina Faso will see some of the leading horse racing clubs in Nigerian cities like Yola, Kebbi, Zaria, Daura, Minna, Kano and a host of others taking part.
The organisers also said the four day event would witness intense horse racing, competition among polo teams in an Abuja derby classic as well as many other sporting activities that have to do with horses.
The Managing Director of My Events International Africa, Miebaka Adoki said the horse industry, if properly harnessed is a multi-billion dollar business so the whole essence of the Abuja Horse race is to bring a lot of tourism to Nigeria.
He, therefore, said the Abuja Horse Race championship can create employment for over 100,000 Nigerian youths, if the country would tap into the potentials of the horse industry.
“The essence of having the Abuja Horse Week is to promote what we call the equestrian tourism, to bring tourism from far and near to Abuja.
“We want to make Abuja a landmark of horse business and horse industry. That is the main essence of doing this. We want to start small but we want to grow to be as big as Argentina, Britain, Dubai, Abu Dhabi as big as all the other places where they are having this intense horse business.
“We also want to create opportunities for investments for economic development; provide opportunities for communities in and outside Abuja to enjoy this form of recreation; showcase Nigeria’s tradition and hospitality as well as provide a forum for exhibitors and horse owners to come and exhibit,” he said.
The Abuja Horse Race organisers therefore called on corporate Nigeria to come forward and partner with them for the much needed economic revival.
