The Nigerian Navy Polo Team which has taken the game of Polo to new heights recently, winning tournaments and rewriting the status-quo of the sport, on Friday June 17, 2022 in Abuja, took ownership of two Agentine Ponies (Horses) donated by a Polo Enthusiast, Alhaji Nasiru Danu.
This is just as it emerged from Commentators and Experts in the sporting event, that the game of Polo was introduced into Nigeria by the Navy Officer through the British Royal Navy in 1904.
Consequently, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwa Zubairu Gambo has commended the achievements of the Polo team noting that they are indications of a strong team that must be encouraged.
Speaking at the occasion of the donation of the ponies at the Guards Brigade Polo Field, Vice Admiral Gambo under whose administration the Nigerian Navy Polo Club iwas established recalled that in September 2021 during the Chief of the Naval Staff Annual Conference, the NN Polo Team made its first appearance in the exalted game, which was initiated by the Chairman Casiva Group Limited, Alhaji Nasiru Danu.
The CNS said, “Since then the NN Polo Team has demonstrated courage, determination and enthusiasm, which were reflected in Port Harcourt Club International Polo tournament which they won as well as the TY Danjuma Trophy in Jan 2022.
“Also in Feb 2022, the team was 2nd runner-up in Lagos Polo tournament. In the just concluded Navy Week, the team defeated the Nigerian Army Polo team to clinch the trophy.
“These achievements are indications of a strong team that must be encouraged.
“With this donation today, the NN Team would begin another path towards becoming a formidable force to be reckoned with in the game of Polo”.
Expressing appreciation to Alhaji Nasiru Danu, the Chairman Casiva Group Limited for the donation of the 2 Argentine Polo Ponies to the NN, Admiral Gambo said, “I am humbled at the kind gesture as well as identifying with the NN Polo Team while also acknowledging his confidence and strong support for our Polo Team.
“I have no doubt that the entire Nigerian Navy and the Polo Team will continue to relish this kind gesture.”
The establishment of the Nigerian Navy Polo Club by Admiral Gambo is coming 40 years after the Nigerian Army established its own Polo Club through the late Gen. Hassan Katsina
Earlier, Alhaji Nasiru Danu while describing the Nigerian Navy Polo team as the fastest growing Polo team in Nigeria recalled Polo competitions in Kano, Port Harcourt and Lagos where the Navy participated and performed creditably.
Noting that as a Polo Enthusiast he helped to facilitate the Kano tournament and supported the last Port Harcourt tournament as part of activities marking the Chief of Naval Staff Annual Conference, Nasiru Danu said, “We want to encourage NN Polo team because they have made Kasiva Group proud.
Dignitaries present at the occasion include Senator Haliru Dauda Jika, Chairman, Senate Committee on Police, the Secretary, Revenue Mobilization Commission, the DG NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Habib, the representative of the Chairman, Nigerian Army Polo Club, Brigadier General AG Laka and Pricipal Staff Officers from Naval Headquaters.
