The National President, Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria (HRFN), Alhaji Mustapha Abubakar-Bida, says a world cup for the sport will soon be organised in Nigeria.
“There will be participation from all the countries of the world like it is being done in Dubai,” Mustapha-Bida told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Kaduna.
He spoke to NAN on the sideline of the ongoing four-day of the Hope Renewed 1st year Anniversary Horse Racing Derby.
NAN also reports that it is themed: ‘Hope Renewed 1st Year Democracy Derby 2nd Edition Under Division System Race’.
The epochal sport meet was organised by the federation as part of the one year anniversary celebration of President Bola Tinubu.
Mustapha-Bida, also the ‘Sarkin Dawakin Nupe’, said that horse racing, like other sports, was a key unifying factor in Nigeria, Africa and the world.
According to him, such an event organised at the global stage will bolster the image of the country as well as add tremendous value to the nation’s economy.
On the ongoing derby, he described Kaduna as the hub of horse racing, saying, “Kaduna is the centre of the North.
“Horse racing has a very strong history in Kaduna from time immemorial from the time of our grandfather, the late Sardaunan Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello.
“Kaduna has hosted the annual Northern Derby since 1961. It has a lot of lovers of horse racing.
“Kaduna is the centre and the starting point. So, we will revive and sustain this lost glory and feat.”(NAN)
