Nigeria To Host Inaugural ICF African Championship

Chairman of the African Region of the International Chovken Federation (ICF), Nura Sani Kangiwa, has announced that Nigeria will host the 2025 Chovken African Region Championship.

Kangiwa made the announcement during a visit to the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Alhaji Shehu Dikko, on April 29, 2025 in Abuja.

LEADERSHIP reports thatbChovken, an exciting equestrian team sport resembling polo, involves two teams of four riders using curved wooden mallets to drive a small leather ball into the opponent’s goal. A standard match consists of two 15-minute halves.

Recently, UNESCO added Chovken to its esteemed list of Intangible Cultural Heritage for Humanity.

Kangiwa assured the National Sports Commission that teams from several African nations, including Egypt, Morocco, and Kenya, will participate in the championship, which promises to boost Nigeria’s visibility and interest in equestrian sports.

The Nigerian Chovken Association delegation included President Abdulkarim Jibril, Secretary Abba Kangiwa, Treasurer Muktar Adahama, Team Captain Colonel Yusuf Bello, and Abdulmalik Badamasi, responsible for pony welfare. Notably, Nigeria secured third place at the inaugural International Chovken Championship in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 12 to 16 June 2024, competing against 10 countries.