Nigeria Polo Association chairman Suleiman Abubakar has described the country’s successful bid to host the World Polo Championship qualifiers as a historic breakthrough, declaring that the achievement reflects growing international recognition of Nigeria’s contribution to the sport.
Nigeria is scheduled to stage the qualifiers at the Guards Polo Club in Abuja from November 9 to 16, 2026, marking the first time the country will host the competition.
Abubakar said the hosting rights represented a significant endorsement of the association’s efforts to develop polo and strengthen Nigeria’s standing within the international sporting community.
“The world has recognised the efforts of our administration, and they have granted us the rights to host the World Polo Championship qualifiers,” Abubakar stated.
He emphasised the historical significance of the development, noting that Nigeria had never previously secured the opportunity despite its long association with the sport.
“For the first time in over 120 years of polo in Nigeria,” he said.
The association chairman believes the decision demonstrates that international polo authorities are increasingly acknowledging Nigeria’s progress and organisational ambitions.
“It is an announcement that, indeed, the world is taking note of Nigeria and the progress we’re making,” Abubakar declared.
The tournament is expected to provide Nigeria with an opportunity to showcase its polo facilities, organisational capacity and sporting heritage to visiting teams and international stakeholders.
Hosting the qualifiers could also strengthen efforts to promote polo domestically, attract greater attention to the sport and encourage further investment in its development.
Abubakar stressed that the hosting rights were not merely a symbolic achievement but an opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate its readiness to organise competitions of international significance.
“They’ve granted us an opportunity,” he added.
With preparations expected to intensify ahead of November, the Nigeria Polo Association will be seeking to ensure that the event lives up to its historic billing.
For Abubakar, the milestone represents more than hosting a tournament: it is recognition of Nigeria’s growing influence in polo and an opportunity to establish the country as a credible destination for major international competitions.
