President Bola Tinubu states that his administration is fully committed to scaling up horse racing in Nigeria.

The president also vowed that he would leave no stone unturned in making horse racing an all-year-round event.

Mr Tinubu spoke on Saturday in Kaduna at the grand finale of the ‘Renewed Hope International Horse Racing Derby’.

Mr Tinubu said, “We are fully committed to general sports development in the country. We will also collaborate with the federation to take the sports to the desired level as it showcases our age-old cultures and transitions. It also promotes unity among the citizens and other parts of Africa just as it boosts the economy and tourism.”

Mr. Tinubu further underscored the importance of horse racing, stating that it aligns with his ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’.

The life president of the federation and the Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, said that the historic event celebrated Nigeria’s rich equestrian tradition.

The Etsu Nupe added, “At the heart of the series is our commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. This agenda represents a vision of unity, progress and prosperity for Nigeria. We are proud to play our part by showcasing the talent, diversity and competitive spirit that define our great nation.”

The chairman of the federation, Tajudeen Dantata, stated that the momentous occasion marked a significant milestone in the history of horse racing in Nigeria.

Mr Dantata said, “The Sahel Savannah Series is a testament to our commitment to promoting and developing the sport while showcasing the best of Nigeria’s horse racing talents.”

The Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Bamalli, described horse racing as a unifying factor that has the potential to bring together Nigeria, Africa, and other parts of the world.

Mr Bamalli, who is also the federation’s grand patron, said, “This is a very important event because it unifies people from other parts of the country and across Africa. As you can see, everybody is here and all the people are happy. It promotes harmony and peaceful coexistence.”

The national coordinator, Abubakar Mustapha-Bida, stated that the federation was dedicated to promoting national unity and prosperity.

Mr Mustapha-Bida, who coordinated the horse racing competition, said, “We have five countries that participated in the event. They are Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. They are our international partners during racing events in Nigeria.”

(NAN)