BY DAVID DARI
A former member representing Keffi/Karu/Kokona Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and one of the All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants for the 2019 governorship election in Nasarawa State, Honourable Ahmed Aliyu Danyaya Wadada has condemned the perception from some people that polo game is only meant for elites.
Wadada who made this known to journalists during a National Polo Tournament in honor of his father, Alhaji Aliyu Danyaya held at Keffi Polo Ranch, yesterday, stated that some of the players they play polo with started as grooms.
“This is what I always emphasise to disabuse the minds of people who have perception that polo is only been played by the elites. It is not only play by elites. The highest rated Polo player in Nigeria, Bello Buba, I can refer to as a groom.
“Most of the players that we played with today like Abdullmalik Badamasi who scored three goals started as a groom before his patron encouraged him to go to school, having known the importance of western education.
“So I don’t believe with the said notion, as I am playing polo today, I am not a wealthy man, but I am a very rich man as the case maybe”, he laughed.
On the aspect of what motivated him to establish a Polo ranch he said, “What we have been doing is to set aside the proceeds at the net profit of about 80 to 90 per cent of what we realized, and is been sent to various educational institutions. Nasarawa State University, Keffi and so many primary schools here have benefited as well as support to orphanages within this constituency.
He continued: “The tournaments of Keffi Polo Ranch have always been fruitful, entertaining and of course the kind of personalities that have been here before now cannot be emphasized.
“With due respect and humility, the only personality that has not visited this ranch in Nigeria is the president. As for Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, prominent traditional rulers, ministers and prominent politicians were here and they will continue to be here to play one role or the other, by the special grace of God”.
The ongoing polo tournament will come to an end on Sunday the 8th of December 2019 where prizes would be given to winners in various categories.
At the opening ceremony, almost all the paramount rulers within Nasarawa State headed by their chairman, the Emir of Lafia, retired Justice Sidi Bage alongside other prominent personalities from all works of life within the country and foreigners attended.
