Kebbi State Government under the leadership of the tourism-loving Governor Alhaji Bagudu and the ancient Kingdom of Argungu Emirates under His Royal Highness, Alhaji Samaila Mera, are warming up to the forthcoming 2022 Argungu Polo Tourney & Culture Fete even as Fan Milk and other corporate giants have thrown their weights behind the auspicious event.
The international sporting cum cultural festival that would further highlight Nigeria as the power house as the sports and cultural tourism event will take centre stage from 8 September and climax with pomp on September 10, 2022 at the foremost NSK Polo Ranch and Resort in Argungu, Kebbi State.
The organisers in a statement signed by Joesef Karim, stated that host town Argungu which is one of Nigeria’s historically significant towns as host town of UNESCO’s cultural heritage asset in Nigeria – the famous Argungu International Fishing Festival, is wearing new looks ahead of the event.
The Patron of Argungu Polo Tournament and Cultural Fete, Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, who also holds the traditional title of the Turakin Kebbi, promised that activities lined-up for this year’s tourney and fete will surpass previous editions, emphasizing that the 2022 edition will deepened and sustainably improve the economic multiplier-effects of the festival.
He stated that more than 24 top Nigerian polo players and over 100 Polo horses will participate in the tournament, adding that there will be more emissaries, international dignitaries and foreign governments’ officials in attendance at the event.
Already, more than six polo teams including NSK Farms Team, H. Hago Team, Ayatun Team, JRB Solar Team, NIHOTOUR Team and Osolo Team, have already confirmed their participation.
The major trophies on offer are the Governor’s Cup which is the event’s biggest prize. Others are the , Sultan’s Cup, Emir of Argungu’s Cup, Emir of Kano’s Cup, King Appolos Chu’s Cup, Lai Mohammed’s Cup, Shehu Kangiwa’s Cup and Abubakar Dangiwa Umar’s Cup, among other laurels.
Organisers also said that the Fete part of the event, boosts an interesting bouquet of the best of African cultures while some of the exciting displays would include culinary arts, traditional wrestling, camel racing, horse racing, mini-durbar, folk dancing, bull fighting and many other uncommon traditional spectacles.
Incidentally, the annual festival has over the years attracted thousands of visitors, prospective investors and tourists to Kebbi State, thereby creating massive socio-economic opportunities and measurable benefits to residents and businesses in Argungu Emirate and its environs.
Kangiwa who is also the boss of the Nigerian Tourism Council, described the festival as one of the most veritable examples of successful Nigerian tourist product management that serves the domestic and inbound Nigeria markets; offering the noble game of the Polo, traditional sports and cultural activities in a historic African destination.