Nigeria To Host World Polo Championship Qualifiers

Nigeria will host the World Polo Championship qualifiers for the first time in the sport’s history in the country, with the tournament scheduled to hold at the Guards Polo Club in Abuja from November 9 to 16, 2026.

The Nigerian Polo Association (NPA) said the hosting rights marked a significant milestone for the sport in Nigeria and reflected growing international recognition of efforts to develop polo in the country.

NPA Chairman, Suleiman Abubakar, disclosed this on Monday when he led a delegation of the association on a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, to brief him on the hosting rights and seek the commission’s support for the competition.

Abubakar said the decision to award Nigeria the hosting rights was a recognition of the progress made by the association in advancing the sport.

“I think the world has recognised the efforts of our administration, and they have granted us the rights to host the World Polo Championship qualifiers for the first time in over 120 years of polo in Nigeria,” he said.

He disclosed that Nigeria would compete against India, Iran and Pakistan in the qualifiers, with the four countries representing Zone E of the Federation of International Polo.

According to Abubakar, the participating nations have attained the required level of development to compete at the 14-goal handicap classification.

He described the tournament as an event of national and international significance, noting that hosting the qualifiers would provide an opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s polo facilities and organisational capacity to the international sporting community.

The NPA chairman also sought the NSC’s backing to ensure the successful hosting of the competition, which is expected to attract international attention to Abuja.

Responding, Dikko assured the association of the commission’s support, describing the tournament as an opportunity to promote Nigeria’s sporting profile and stimulate economic activities.

He said the NSC regarded the competition as a national event rather than an initiative belonging exclusively to the polo association, stressing that major sporting events could generate employment and business opportunities beyond the athletes and organisers.

“It is natural for us to see what we can do to provide you with whatever is necessary we can, and whatever support we can within our own limited abilities, to make sure this is a success,” Dikko said.

He added that the commission recognised the wider benefits of hosting international sporting competitions, particularly their potential to attract visitors, encourage investment and create opportunities for businesses operating around event venues.

The November qualifiers are expected to bring Nigeria into greater international focus within the polo community while providing a platform for the country to demonstrate its readiness to host major competitions.

The event could also support sports tourism through increased visitor traffic to Abuja, with hospitality providers, transport operators and other businesses potentially benefiting from activities surrounding the tournament.

Nigeria’s hosting of the qualifiers represents a major development for the local polo community, with the NPA seeking to build on the opportunity to strengthen the sport’s profile and expand its international reach.